The global financial crisis has affected many people, but probably most at risk in NSW are our rural communities. Threatened with job losses, industry shut downs and the ever continuing issue of drought and over allocation of water from our river systems, it is easy to see why some communities are in crisis. It’s a crisis that represents a critical test for the Rees Government – can NSW Premier Nathan Rees deliver sound policy decisions based around the best possible economic outcomes or will he play to emotional reactions, to the detriment of local communities?
The future of the Red Gum Forests of south western NSW,
situated along the Murray River and associated tributaries, is a perfect example of this. The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is currently assessing the area, to determine the forests’ future. The NSW government currently allows these forests to be logged, but their future, and the future of surrounding communities, would be better guaranteed if the forests are protected as National Parks and promoted as tourist destinations.
Picture 1. River Red Gum Trees, Dry Lake Hattah (Photo – David Tatnall)
Over the border, a clear decision has already been made. The Victorian Premier, John Brumby, recently announced the creation of new National Parks to protect Victorian Red Gum Forests and to help secure the future of the Murray River. The Victorian Government’s Red Gum package has created a range of employment opportunities in local communities, leading to a net increase in jobs.
Nathan Rees will need to make a similar decision when the NRC provides their recommendations to him in November.
Red Gum Forests have a long history that is intertwined with the development of local towns, having been logged for timber and other products for over 120 years. However, more recently there has been a shift towards low value products, while increased mechanisation has significantly reduced the number of jobs.
Picture 2. Barooga State Forest (Photo – Belinda Fairbrother)
Independent economics firm Economists at Large has recently examined the industry and come to some startling conclusions. They found that not only is the industry worth significantly less than previously thought it is actually being subsidised by taxpayers. The economists estimate that protecting the forests could generate over $100 million pa in new economic value for the region – five times the real value of the current, extractive industry.
Minister for Primary Industries, Ian MacDonald has defended unprofitable forestry operations on the basis that they are vital for regional employment. However, Economists at Large make a convincing case that alternative management of the forests will provide greater regional employment, as has occurred in Victoria. In just two of the three local government areas that the forests occur in, tourism alread
y employs over 1200 people – compared with just 136 people in the entire Red Gum State Forest industry across the whole of NSW.
During a time of economic hardship, climate change and rivers that are running dry, can we really afford to continue to prop up unprofitable industries, particularly when the alternatives would provide for many more jobs and greater economic prosperity?
Picture 3. Millewa Firewood Dump (Photo – Peter Cooper)
The benefits from protecting the Red Gum Forests in National Parks are large, as the Victorian government has already recognised. The time has come for Nathan Rees to move beyond an idealistic sentimentality towards logging and to make decisions based on sound economic management and the need to live in empathy with our natural surroundings. Such a move will not be without its vocal critics, but they are a small minority and the ongoing viability of the regional economy demands that wise decisions be made for the future rather than us remaining stuck in the past.
For more information on the Red Gum Forests, their current plight and the campaign to protect them, see
www.wilderness.org.au/rrr
Peter Cooper is a Campaigner for The Wilderness Society (Sydney) Inc. The Wilderness Society is a national, community based, environmental advocacy organisation whose purpose is protecting, promoting and restoring wilderness and natural processes across Australia for the survival and ongoing evolution of life on earth.
jason stephens
September 20, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Cattle Grazing
The Victorian Govt: Made big noise about giving the Murray River Reserves on the Victorian side back to the people. Earlier this year all grazing was stopped. Now it seems it is going to take five years to phase out. Cattle are desecrating the river banks getting to water.
With the Murray at low levels wouldn’t you think it would make sence to enforce the ban on cattle grazing on public land.
The grazing of stock is set to continue along the Murray River reserve on the Victorian side. The pushing down of river banks as cattle access water. More and more poluted water is being sent along to towns that access water from the river. So much for the Vic Govt big statements about giving this public land back to the people.