News in brief
Greenwich presents anti-hunting petition to Parliament
State Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich has presented a petition signed by over 10,000 people to the NSW Parliament, in a bid to stop amateur shooters from being allowed to hunt and kill animals in NSW national parks. Mr Greenwich presented the petition from the National Parks Association to Parliament last Thursday, meaning the issue will again be debated in Parliament. “National parks should not be turned into shooting grounds where hunters kill and maim animals for fun while ruining peace with gun shots and putting visitors at risk,” said Mr Greenwich. Hunting will be allowed in 77 national parks later this year under a deal struck by NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell with the Shooters & Fisher Party in exchange for their support of his power privatisation plans.
City to adopt Liberal parking trial
The City of Sydney Council will conduct a year-long trial of 15 minute free car parking along shopping streets within the Council area. Councillors were advised of the proposed trial at a briefing on the City’s Draft Parking Policy on Monday, with the policy expected to be approved at the next full Council meeting on March 25. “The 15-minute free parking proposal was one of the first changes the Liberals sought after being elected to Council last year,” said Liberal Councillor Christine Forster. “I’ve stated repeatedly that it’s good for both residents and businesses in Sydney if people are able to pop into their local shops to grab a newspaper, or buy milk, or pick up a prescription … without worrying about Council parking rangers.”
Sydney getting greener, leafier
A Register of Significant Trees within in the City of Sydney Council area has gone on community exhibition, allowing people to provide comments or nominate additional trees. 320 individual trees and groups of trees have been nominated so far, with the register viewable online at www.sydneyyoursay.com.au. The exhibition comes as Sydney forges ahead with its Urban Forest Strategy to increase the size of the City’s tree canopy by 50 per cent by 2030. “Our growing urban forest contributes greatly to the City’s character as well as improving our air, soil and water quality,” said Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
