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A
gallery of
Kosciuszko's
images revealing
Threats to Kosciuszko and the environment group's
Write letters on key park protection and management issues
View a detailed briefing on the impacts of cloud seeding Write a protest letter against cloud seeding
More ways to help the on the Kosciuszko campaign OVERVIEW OF NSW GOVERNMENT PLANS FOR KOSCIUSZKO Two plans govern the fate of Kosciuszko National Park for the next 20 years:
Australia’s leading scientists report that the park’s outstanding values are at risk due to expanding development, increased visitor use, climate change and introduced plants and animals. Kosciuszko National Park, the largest park in NSW, deserves a strong ecologically based plan of management that puts nature and wilderness first. The 2006 Plan does not go far enough to curb high impact use such as horseriding. Nor does it protect the Park's alpine region or wild rivers.
Alpine Resorts Plan does not address climate change that will make these resorts obsolete in 50 years. The 2007 Plan (a development instrument under planning law) permits major urban expansion in the alpine region. Six large apartment blocks, up to five stories high are proposed in Perisher and development will extend to Smiggin Holes, Guthega, Mount Selwyn, Charlotte Pass and beyond. Many apartments will be for private sale. Such town developments are outrageous in one of the country’s most fragile ecosystems, on national park land where nature should come first. Top of Kosciuszko sub-home page
The
Kosciuszko National Park is at risk A National Park being developed and sold The ski resorts lease national park land from the government. A real estate bonanza continues that damages the park and apartments are being sold for a quick profit. Global warming increases impacts Global warming is with us. Kosciuszko’s snowline has been rising for over 50 years. The ski resorts want increased artificial snow making, continue experimental cloud seeding without environmental assessment; and more summer commercial recreation that would turn Kosciuszko into a private amusement park. High impact users demanding more access to fragile park areas Far from the ski resorts commercial interests, four wheel drive, trail bike and horse riding groups are pushing for more fragile parkland to be put aside for their use. Feral animal degradation Without effective management and adequate funding, pigs, goats and wild horses will trample sensitive landscapes, pollute streams, displace native animals and spread weeds through the park. Top of Kosciuszko sub-home page Kosciuszko Developer's plan to build seven "Toasters" in Perisher Valley In November 2006, Perisher Blue (PB) secured approval of a 'concept plan, for a resort in Perisher Valley. If built, the 5 ha resort complex will see a 846 bed resort and 7,300 square metres of retail and commercial space in the heart of Kosciuszko National Park. The development will involve: the construction of 240 apartments in six buildings 3 to 5 stories high and an "Indoor Recreation Centre"; road clearing of the traditional snow bound valley to encourage future development up the mountain; and car parking galore along the Kosciuszko Road. PB claims that the development: is consistent with ESD principles and is not going to have any adverse impacts on threatened species. PB says that the development is "beneficial" to alpine bog communities, the habitat of the endangered Southern Corroborree Frog (despite destroying more bogs to accommodate cars). Further, PB claims it has enough water and STP capacity to accommodate the urban sprawl; and global warming is going to be managed with the use of "snow guns". All this on an area with "deep subsurface potential" for aboriginal archaeological sites. Never mind, it seems that "past development" is the real problem and PB is going to plant a few trees to compensate. The NPWS, who manage the Park, has been allocated 57 square metres on the site, while "Real Estate Marketing" gets 129 square metres. An independent report to the NPWS, not included in the approval, has already cited: the loss of public realm and vista; commercial interests taking precedence; and non-compliance issues with the Perisher Range Resorts Master Plan and Commission of Inquiry. The Perisher Valley concept approval is just the first stage of a Kosciuszko National Park development regime that is set to stretch well beyond Perisher Valley, as the NSW government is gearing up to allow such development of the alpine region via its "Alpine Resorts Plan" - a massive private development land grab that will see development in areas such as Charlotte Pass, Smiggins Holes, Guthega, Mount Selwyn and Sawpit Creek. Top of Kosciuszko sub-home page GET INVOLVED IN THE SAVE KOSCIUSZKO CAMPAIGN 1) Volunteer to help by printing out this page, filling it in, and posting it back to us, or copy and paste to your email program 2) Write to the Premier of NSW, Barry O'Farrell, Parliament House, Sydney, 2000. (Say you support the Environment Groups’ Plan for Environment Protection and Restoration and include any of the points raised on this web site). or email thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au 3) Write a letters to your local Member of Parliament, your local papers and community newsletters. You can find out the name of your local member by going to the NSW Parliament website http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au
Make a donation to help fund the campaign: enclose a donation for
OR please charge my credit card:
(donations are tax deductible – make the cheque out to the Colong Foundation for Wilderness. A receipt will be forwarded to you). Name: Address: Phone: email: Return to: The Colong Foundation for Wilderness, Level 2, 332 Pitt Street, NSW Sydney 2000. Ph (02) 9261 2400; Fax (02) 9261 2144 or email: foundation@colongwilderness.org.au |
To comment on this site, email: keith@colongwilderness.org.au
Last updated Wednesday 07-Dec-2011
