The ability of national parks to effectively manage river red gum forests along the Murray River in NSW has been called into question at a public lands inquiry. The inquiry is investigating the economic, environmental and social impacts of converting state forests and agricultural land into national parks. Source: ABC Rural
Mathoura timber miller Chris Crump said that without routine thinning, the forests have become unmanageable.
“Since the floods, it’s gone sort of berserk, which we knew it would,” he said. “Once it dries out, we have the potential there to have one of the worst fires you’ve ever seen.”
Mr Crump wants the management of the red gums given back to Forests NSW.
MLC Robert Brown, chairman of the parliamentary committee running the inquiry, says it may not be possible to reverse the red gum national parks.
Recommendations won’t be made until April next year and the inquiry now heads to Bourke in western NSW.
