Hunters: our parks and animals are not fair game

The Wilderness Society is extremely concerned by current threats facing our National Parks, with a proposal to open them up to recreational shooting and to establish game reserves being introduced into the NSW Parliament.

The Game and Feral Animal Control Act 2002 Amendment Bill 2009 was first introduced by the Shooters Party in June, but will be reconsidered when Parliament resumes in September.

This proposal will not address the issue of the control of feral animals within National Parks, and poses a threat to animal welfare and the existing users of the parks.

The Parks and Native Animal Protection (PANAP) coalition is opposing the Shooters Party proposed amendments to the Game Bill that allows:

a)    hunting in National Parks
b)    the establishment of private game parks
c)    the hunting of native animal and birds
d)    the release or relocation of introduced birds

Our National Parks are also facing the threat of commercialisation, with private developers currently seeking the right to develop within our parks, putting at risk the conservation of these protected areas.

We must ensure the protection of our parks from recreational shooting and commercialisation. Help us to send a message to the NSW Government by attending a public event on this issue. Several events are being supported by the Parks and Native Animals coalition:

Upcoming Events

Public Meeting on the Shooters' Bill

When: Tuesday 25th August, 2009
6.45pm for 7pm
Where: Ku-ring-gai Town Hall
1186 Pacific Hwy, Pymble
(A short walk from Pymble train station)

Speakers:
Cate Faehrmann, Executive Director, Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Professor Tony Peacock, CEO Invasive Animal Cooperative Research Centre
Laurie Levy, veteran activist from the Campaign Against Duck Hunting, Victoria
Robert Brown, MLC, Shooters' Party
Lee Rhiannon, MLC, NSW Greens
Catherine Cusack, Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability

Being held by: Nature Conservation Council NSW

National Parks Under Attack - Help nature claim them back!

Public Meeting to stop the exploitation of nature and national parks by blood sports and commercial facilities
When: Wednesday 9 September, 5.30-8.00pm
Light supper, 5.30pm – Free
Where: Theatrette, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney

Speakers:
The Hon Ian Cohen, MLC, Greens NSW
Prof Ralf Buckley, Director, International Centre for Eco-tourism Research
Dr Carol Booth, Policy Officer, Invasive Species Council
and others TBA

Being held by: Colong Foundation for Wilderness

Other events supported by the PANAP coalition are being held by:

The Sutherland Environment Centre
When: Thursday 13 August, 7 pm
Where: Hazelhurst Regional Arts Gallery
782 Kingsway, Gymea

Blue Mountains Conservation Society
When: Saturday 15 August,
9.45 for 10.00 - 11.30 am
Where: Santa Maria Centre
253 Great Western Highway, Lawson

The North Coast Environment Council with EDO Northern Rivers
When: Wednesday 26 August
5.45 for 6.00 - 8.00 pm
Where: Red Dove Hall
cnr Keen and Woodlark Streets, Lismore

This campaign is being run by the The Parks and Native Animals Protection Coalition