National heritage under threat

A long-term vision and a commitment in legislation and resources by State and Federal Governments is needed to protect the globally unique values of the TSR network.

The Squirrel Glider is a unique marsupial threatened with extinction. Squirrel Gliders are highly social mammals that live in colonies. They like nectar, sap, insects and spiders and need old trees with hollows to breed in. They move around the landscape by gliding from tree to tree, so they rely on vegetation being connected.

In NSW, the public network covers about 600,000ha, or nearly 1% of the state. A report commissioned by the NSW Government claims the reserves are almost redundant, because nowadays stock can be trucked.

The NSW Government is committed to changes to the ownership, control and management of the stock routes and reserves (TSR) network, which could see their historic, social and cultural values downgraded and their outstanding conservation values lost. Managed by Rural Land Protection boards, only a few reserves raise a profit from droving fees and rural rates.

The State government is now intending to reclaim many stock routes, raising the risk of disposal and sell-off by the Department of Lands, a reduction in resources to manage crown land, and long-term private leasing and industrial logging. 

Queensland is also reviewing the future of its 2.6 million ha network.

Studies conducted on individual parts of the network identify high biological values. However, there is a need for a comprehensive review of the ecological functions of the entire network. It would be unwise for major decisions on future management of the network to be made before such information is available.

Over 500 concerned scientists signed the Long Paddock Scientists’ statement, an open letter to the NSW and Queensland Government to point out the exceptional values of the network. Labelled ‘an unlikely alliance’, rural and city people in both NSW and Queensland are working together on a historic campaign to rescue the network and ensure its long-term protection. The campaign has hit national and international media headlines.

Now we need the will from our political leaders to make it happen.

In response to the campaign, the NSW Government has stated that “there are no plans to sell TSR’s that contribute to environmental values as well as social cultural and economic needs of the community.”  However, there has been no comprehensive review of the network’s values, or legislation or resources allocated to protect the networks values for the long-term. There are no guarantees that the network will still be there in 100 years time.

The Wilderness Society and partners will continue the campaign to protect the network. A long-term vision and a commitment in legislation and resources by State and Federal Governments is urgently needed to protect the globally unique values of the TSR network in perpetuity.

Links

• Download the Long Paddock Scientists’ Statement (PDF - 193 kb)

Take Action:

Write a letter to the NSW Premier today
 
Dear Premier

You have promised to make NSW the greenest State in Australia. To fulfil that commitment and help us adapt to climate change, you must ensure the long-term protection of our  Travelling Stock Routes and Reserves network.

This network  provides some of the world’s best wildlife corridors. They are unique public heritage. But, I am concerned about the future of the network.

I seek your commitment that the 600,000 ha TSR network in NSW:

1). will be managed and funded so the full range of values, including Australia’s natural and cultural heritage, connectivity and the network as a whole are recorded and protected in perpetuity 
2). will be part of a NSW and federal climate change adaptation and mitigation strategy
3). will be managed so that national and international commitments on biodiversity conservation are met

The NSW Government needs a plan to achieve a well resourced, well managed public Travelling Stock Route and Reserve network across the state for future generations.

I look forward to hearing from you on how your Government will make this a reality

Yours sincerely,




Send your letter to:
The Premier
GPO Box 5341
SYDNEY NSW 2001
Email: thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au