Kristina Keneally’s Heffron Office ‘Rebranded’ with River Red Gum message

The Wilderness Society (Sydney) Inc
Media Release
22 June 2009

Members of the Wilderness Society have today rebranded Krinstina Keneally’s Heffron electoral office to promote the protection of the River Red Gum Forests of south western NSW.

“The government acknowledges the conservation of these forests is a priority, but it is still allowing logging for low value products including fence posts and firewood” said Peter Cooper, campaigner with the Wilderness Society .

The Wilderness Society activists installed a number of new signs across the outside of the office, which read ”Ms Keneally: Protect the Murray River Red Gum Forests”.

The society has to date delivered over 10,000 messages to the NSW Government from community members calling for protection of the forests. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has acknowledged that logging is having a ‘significant impact’ within the internationally recognised forest wetlands.

“Ms Keneally must listen to her constituents and immediately commit to working with the Indigenous Traditional Owners and the community in the creation of new National Parks across the entirety of the River Red Gum Forests,” continued Cooper.

Economic modelling has shown that converting the forests to National Parks could result in new economic activity worth five times the value of the current industry while also providing for the creation of many more jobs.

Victoria has recently moved to protect their River Red Gum Forests, with Victorian Environment Minister Peter Jennings saying that this would lead to a net increase in jobs.

 “Protecting the River Red Gums of NSW will provide the best possible long term outcomes for nature and the region’s communities,” concluded Cooper.