The NSW Nature Conservation Council has criticised a logging proposal from the Nature Resources Commission as lacking scientific evidence.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The proposal recommends ecological thinning of white cypress pine, grazing and burning in state conservation areas, such as the Brigalow Nandewar Conservation Area that covers more than 195,000 hectares, including Dubbo.
Representatives from the NCC visited the Goonoo State Conservation Area yesterday as part of an ongoing campaign against the proposal.
Forest and Wildlife Campaigner Karl Beckert said the report sets a dangerous precedent for commercial exploitation of conservation areas and could lead to the further exploitation of national parks and forests.
Mr Beckert said the scientific evidence used by the NRC in their report to justify the ecological thinning was very questionable.
The report is set to be delivered to the state government in the coming weeks with the recommendation the government allow the white cypress pines to be thinned to promote the regeneration of other trees and shrubs.
However, the NCC are arguing the logging would cause significant environmental damage.
The NCC said the NRC has provided no evidence logging would provide ecological benefits or maintain conservation values.
"We're campaigning really strongly to get the government to reject the recommendation. We're putting pressure on the government," Mr Beckert said.
Mr Beckert said NSW taxpayers paid $51 million in 2005 for the conservation area to be protected from logging and allowing it to take place now would be "double dipping" on an asset already paid for by the taxpayers.
NCC Chief Officer Kate Smolksi said the plans are "complete madness".
"Premier Baird should distance himself from this outrageous proposal to allow logging in our parks," she said.
"Bowing to radical elements in his government by opening national parks estate to logging would be a permanent stain on the Premier's environmental record."
Mr Beckert said if the government accepts the proposal, every single conservation member will campaign.