Maitland Greens have vowed to fight the state government’s decision to allow hunting in parks and reserves.
The state government has confirmed its deal with the NSW Shooters and Fishers Party to allow the culling of feral animals in return for support from the Shooters Party for the sale of the state’s power assets.
Greens mayoral candidate Jan Davis said the government’s actions were appalling, while the government
maintained the move was not about allowing recreational hunting.
She said the Greens would fight the decision.
“We are absolutely horrified that the government has stooped to this low level to get this bill through and are allowing hunting in return for selling off power,” she said.
“Now a nice pleasant trip to a National Park could end up in disaster.”
Ms Davis refuted Maitland MP and Environment Minister Robyn Parker’s comment that the hunting would be supervised.
“Who will be regulating this and supervising them when they are out in the park hunting,” Ms Davis said.
Ms Parker said shooters would not be able to hunt with dogs and the latest
decision was an extension of a policy that was already law.
She said people would be warned of shooting areas through a new interactive website and iPad app.
The bill will be assessed in the lower house as a result of the Coalition’s deal with the Shooters Party.
Barrington Tops and the Watagans will be among the 79 national parks, nature reserves and conservation areas affected under the government’s move.
