New South Wales Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean has called on the federal government to implement a so-called “green cop” to monitor national environment laws.
This comes after a review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act called for a federal independent regulator. However, the recommendation was rejected by federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley.
With a $275,000 boardwalk project planned for Muttonbird Island and more than 3,500 new koala feed trees growing in Bongil Bongil National Park, the Coffs Coast’s national parks are flourishing.
Environment Minister Matt Kean announced the 330-metre raised boardwalk project for Muttonbird Island during his visit to the Coffs Coast today.
“The elevated boardwalk will improve visitor access to the spectacular nature reserve while also benefiting the island’s most important habitants – the muttonbirds,” Mr Kean said.
I took a trip to Dubbo to announce the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone with Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders, setting up NSW to be a global energy superpower.
The NSW Government has acquired an additional 89 hectares of land to expand Cudgen Nature Reserve and aid the recovery of the Tweed koala population.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said the addition would help to provide long-term habitat protection for native plants and animals on the Tweed Coast, including the endangered Tweed and Brunswick Rivers koala colony.
I was thrilled to visit the Blue Mountains to officially announce that the new Ngula Bulgarabang Regional Park, west of Katoomba and known as Radiata Plateau had been acquired by the NSW National Parks Portfolio, with the purchase of the 300 hectare Radiata Plateau site protecting the last remaining undeveloped peninsula-plateau on the upper Blue Mountains western escarpment.
I was pleased to announce the NSW Government have made the biggest ever acquisition of private land into the National Parks portfolio of NSW with the purchase of Narriearra Station in far north-west NSW. Narriearra spans 153,415 hectares of the outback Channel Country and includes part of the Bulloo River Floodplain, ephemeral wetlands and landscapes currently not found anywhere in NSW’s National Parks and is also a refuge for threatened wildlife, with at least 27 threatened animal species found within the station.
I was thrilled to officially opened the new ‘African Savannah’ at Taronga Zoo Sydney. For the first time in five years, lion’s are back at their iconic Harbourside location with Lwazi and Ato. Book your tickets online to check them out. I’d be lion if I said it was anything other than roarsome!
The 153,415 hectare Narriearra Station in far north west NSW is the largest purchase of private land for national parks in the State’s history.
Environment Minister Matt Kean says the purchase will help protect threatened species, important habitat and wetlands.
“Narriearra Station stretches across the outback Channel Country and includes part of the Bulloo River floodplain, ephemeral wetlands and landscapes currently not found anywhere in NSW national parks,” Mr Kean said.
On Monday June 23rd I joined the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premier Gladys Berejiklian in the first end-to-end drive through the NorthConnex Tunnel. This is going to be a gamechanger for Hornsby, taking 5,000 trucks a day off Pennant Hills Road. The $3 billion project started in 2015 and created 8,700 jobs. Once completed the twin 9km tunnels will see motorists bypass 21 traffic lights and save up to 15 minutes in travel time. Returning local streets to local communities.
The population of one of Australia’s most endangered species will be bolstered, with 20 conservation-bred regent honeyeaters released into the wild.
Environment Minister Matt Kean said this was the largest release of conservation-bred regent honeyeaters ever undertaken in NSW as part of an Australia-wide recovery effort.
“Regent honeyeater numbers are at critical levels with only about 350 birds remaining,” Mr Kean said.
“The birds were released onto private property in the Lower Hunter, where it’s hoped they will mix with the wild population and breed.
After being elected as Member for Hornsby in March 2011, I have embarked on many initiatives that the community and I see as pivotal issues for Hornsby. I see and understand the needs of the community and am proud to play my part.
