BOF’s environment of disdain

In one of his first official and potentially defining acts, Premier Barry O’Farrell did something he had never previously mentioned – he dissolved the Department of Environment and Heritage. What remains is now the Office of Environment and Heritage, situated within and controlled by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

This is just one consequence of the Public Sector Employment and Management (Departments) Order 2011.

Effectively, the Premier’s office is now in charge of Centennial Park, Moore Park, and their associated Trusts, and the Historic Houses Trust. Meanwhile, the vast and significant areas controlled by the Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Luna Park Trust will now come under the control of the expanded Department of Planning and Infrastructure.

Unlike their poor cousin, the now defunct Department of Environment, both the Department of Planning and Infrastructure and the Department of Primary Industries appear already to have clearly expanded authority and access to government resources. Far from being castrated or even reigned in, they will be part of the new super Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services.

Although it was often a weak department when it came to legal disputes involving development, mining, and infrastructure – hence the sheer volume of public interest environment litigation in the Land and Environment Court – it is likely that an entirely government-controlled Office of Environment will be even less accountable to or concerned by public, community, or environmental wellbeing.

According to NSW Greens MP, by acting on the Department first, it is clear that O’Farrell will be putting the environment last.

With the fresh office paint barely dry, she says that O’Farrell’s “argument that the move ‘elevated’ environment issues is laughable.”

“Meanwhile loss of biodiversity is increasing, fish stocks are depleting and the threat of climate change looms over NSW farming and coastal communities.

She expects that this rapid move signals sharp cuts in environmental funding and a weakening of both environmental standards and laws within NSW

“Already we are seeing the anti-environment influence of the new ultra-conservative Upper House,” said Faehrmann. “This just shows the disdain the Coalition will show Marine Parks and National Parks over the coming four years.”