Rees acts on iconic River Red Gums - but is it now too late?

Unfortunately this scheduled post was overtaken by events and yesterday Nathan Rees was ousted as Premier by the right-wing faction of the NSW Labor Government. Planning Minister Kristina Keneally is now the state's 42nd premier and during her time in Parliament is yet to prove that she has a real
understanding of environmental issues or sustainability.
I hope that she might confound her critics by honouring the commitment set out below.

Image from River Red Gum Rescue

Some welcome news in the NSW Premier's media release of 3 December 2009:

Premier Nathan Rees today announced he would save River Red Gums in the state's south-west by declaring 42,077 hectares of the Millewa Group Red Gum Forests as National Park.
Mr Rees also announced the government would move immediately to implement a structural adjustment package for industry.
"Successive Labor governments have an unparalleled record of protecting natural resources in NSW and providing support to protect jobs and communities," said Mr Rees.
"Over eight percent of NSW is now protected in perpetuity in the form of national parks and reserves.
"These are areas that deserve preservation and protection for future generations. Part of that legacy is my commitment that mining and hunting will not be permitted in national parks.
"I add to that legacy today by acting to save the habitat of our precious River Red Gums in the Riverina.
"We will create a new National Park in the area currently covered by the Gulpa Island, Millewa and Moira State Forests. The new National Park will adjoin the Barmah National Park in Victoria, creating a huge protected area for River Red Gum habitat.
"Already under attack from the drought and climate change, this habitat is fast approaching a tipping point where we risk losing it for ever.".........