Murray’s Red Gums in crisis

By Claudia Magro
New research into NSW’s River Red Gum timber industry has found a major mismanagement of taxpayer’s money.

The report, an economic analysis of River Red Gum logging along the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers in south-western NSW, found that taxpayer’s money was being used to sustain an industry with very low economic benefits.

Peter Cooper, campaigner for The Wilderness Society, suggests that to save these precious areas, resources should be directed towards areas of high economic return such as tourism and national parks.

Recent study found that tourism was already far more efficient in terms of economic gain. It supports more than 1000 jobs and generates $797million annually, a stark contrast to the logging industry, which supports only 136 jobs and generates just $22million in revenue. The creation of national parks in the area would expand tourism and economic profit even further.

Carmel Flint, spokesperson for the National Parks Association, said: ‘This report lifts the lid on the economic mismanagement of NSW Red Gum forests, which is why a prompt evaluation of the area is needed. National Parks seem a logical next step for the area. It would provide for more jobs, boost tourism and see an end to an industry that is wasting public money.’