State Labor MP for North Coast issues, Mr Walt Secord has endorsed a local conservation group’s stand on protecting the Tweed koalas.
Speaking in NSW Parliament late last week Mr Secord said Team Koala had moved to protect the koalas set to be affected by the Kings Forest development and called on the State Government to review its position on the Kings Forest development’s koala management plan.
Mr Secord also slammed Tweed Shire Council for earlier this year overturning a proposed dog ban on Kings Forest.
He praised Team Koala’s Jenny Hayes; Richmond MP, Mrs Justine Elliot; Federal Environment Minister, Mr Tony Burke, Lismore Mayor, Jenny Dowell and State Labor’s Environment spokesperson, Mr Luke Foley for their efforts to protect koala habitats on the North Coast.
“Team Koala believes there should be koala corridors or overpasses like those on the Pacific Highway, speed limits of 40 kilometres a hour, appropriate lighting so that motorists can see the koalas’ movements, and strict restrictions or consideration of a total ban on dogs at the Kings Forest site,” he said.
“For the record, in Pottsville there is already a no dogs or cats policy at Koala Beach. There is a clear precedent that favours protecting iconic native animals over domestic imports,” Mr Secord told State Parliament.
