Legal experts are questioning why the Nationals have made the move because the law only affects a small portion of farmers proposing big developments
"The new SEPP is a minor strengthening of the existing instrument. It doesn’t actually prohibit the clearing of koala habitat, in fact no areas are off limits under NSW laws.
The new SEPP increases the number of tree species listed as koala habitat from 10 to 123 across the state - but regional variations apply.SEPP regulations kick in when habitat trees are present in sufficient numbers to cause private land to be classed as core habitat. But assessments are only required when a development application is triggered under the local government’s regulations - such as a house over two stories.
The Koala State Environmental Planning Policy was legislated in March in the wake of the Black Summer bushfires, which burned so much habitat federal Environment Minister Sussan LeyIndependent MP Justin Field said the koala SEPP "does not impact farmers going about routine business."The public would understand that with the koala facing extinction doing a basic assessment before a major land use change is totally reasonable," Mr Field said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Coalition crisis over koala war: Nationals 'on crossbench' until demands are metBreaking: The Berejiklian government has been plunged into crisis after the NSW Nationals voted not to support any government legislation until their demands over the koala planning policy are met | AlexSmithSMH
Read more »
Coalition crisis over koala war: Premier gives Nationals ultimatumThe Berejiklian government has been plunged into crisis after the NSW Nationals voted not to support any government legislation until their demands over the koala planning policy are met.
Read more »
Nationals ministers should 'resign immediately' amid koala row: legal expertsTop legal experts say NSW National MPs, including Deputy Premier John Barilaro, should resign immediately as ministers after vowing not to support government bills until their demands over state planning policy are met | MWhitbourn
Read more »
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian delivers deadline for Nationals to stand down from koala policy protestNSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has delivered an ultimatum to NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro urging him to stand down from his protest against the government's changes to the koala protection policy.
Read more »
Premier gives ultimatum to NSW Nationals over koala policy stoushNSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has issued Nationals leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro and the members of his party an ultimatum to either stand with her or sit on the crossbench.
Read more »
Live: NSW Now: Coronavirus alert in Sydney's east, Nationals threaten to resign over koala policyMORNING BRIEFING: NSW Health is warning two infectious people visited the Eastern Suburbs Legion Club in Waverley several times while infectious, while John Barilaro has threatened NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian with the resignation of National MPs over koala policy.
Read more »