Save Search

Note: Where available, the PDF/Word icon below is provided to view the complete and fully formatted document
 Download Current HansardDownload Current Hansard    View Or Save XMLView/Save XML

Previous Fragment    Next Fragment
Wednesday, 7 February 2001
Page: 21447


Senator BROWN (10:14 AM) —There is some confusion here because the aim, ultimately, of this legislation must be to preserve the natural amenity of the Sydney Harbour foreshores. What is happening here is that when it gets to the objects, the driving component of this legislation, that aim of preservation suddenly gives way to enhancing, which does have the very clear motivation of human improvement, as we perceive it, built upon it. So it does not sit well with the natural values. Suddenly the built values that Senator Hill referred to come to the forefront and the others get left behind. The Labor amendment is to preserve, conserve and enhance. It at least retains that need for preservation of the natural values to be at the forefront of the design of management plans for the future. If you simply give to managers the direction that they are to enhance what they have there, you open the door to the wrong direction being taken. I think the word `preserve' or the phrase `preservation of the natural values' needs to be built into this. I think it is a mistake to allow that to slip out and to allow concentration on what to do with the built values in these lands to become pre-eminent. Pre-eminent in the minds of Sydneysiders and everybody who knows Sydney is going to be the preservation of the natural values which make these lands so important.