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May 17 2013 ISSUE 137
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT PH: 9549 1190 FAX: 9549 1122
“Not happy Barry” Residents raise concerns about shooting in parks BASIL NAIMET
SLAM DUNK There are plenty of sports gaining traction in Marrickville, but one of our most successful clubs is Dulwich Hill Newtown Basketball. Having produced a number of talented junior and senior players, this club is going from strength to strength.
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clear message was sent to Premier Barry O’Farrell this week at Petersham Town Hall that amateur shooters in National Parks would be dangerous to the public and wildlife. The Member for Marrickville Carmel Tebbutt who is against the O’Farrell Government’s decision to allow hunting in National Parks, introduced key speakers at a community meeting on Wednesday as they outlined their concerns. The Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change Luke Foley said the Government’s proposal of eradicating feral animals through amateur shooters was not effective or humane and it should be left to the professionals at the National Parks and Wildlife Service. “According to the NSW Game Council a total of 14,161 game and feral animals were killed by recreational hunters in NSW State Forests last year. In this period 15,080 game hunting licences were issued in NSW. That’s just under one animal killed per hunter. Those numbers are insignificant,” he said. Richard Walsham from Enmore, a former teacher, questioned the effect amateur hunting would have on the safety of school children who attend National Parks for excursions. Carmel Tebbutt said she knew of the concern from teachers. “I am conscious of teachers and the hard work they put in to organising excursions. Th is initiative by the O’Farrell Government will discourage teachers from planning excursions to National and Wildlife Parks,” she said. Environment Minister Robyn Parker said the effectiveness of controlling the feral animals was being reviewed. “The controls and exclusion zones are not yet fi nalised. The supplementary pest control regime will not commence until the completion of the risk assessment process,” she said. The government is committed to managing and mitigating all of the risks,” she said. The government has suspended the hunting program pending a gaming council review.
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TOO NOISY Residents unhappy with containers PAGE 4
HISTORY MADE Signs will educate the public Amateur Shooters are a danger to the public claimed Carmel Tebbutt.
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