Media Release 2nd February, 2006 Dramatic new information warrants Regional Strategy re-think Environmentalists have called on the government to re-open the exhibition period for the Lower Hunter Regional Strategy after uncovering the extent of bushland earmarked for destruction by the Department of Planning. The information was obtained by the Hunter Community Environment Centre under the Freedom of Information Act and shows the geographical location and extent of areas identified for new release under the Strategy. “This disturbing information tells the sad truth behind the glossy pamphlets” said HCEC spokesperson Paul Winn, “More than 4000 ha of state significant bushland, over half of which is listed as endangered, is identified for destruction under the Strategy.” And a further 1680 ha is under reserved. The State Government wants to build houses on 2285 ha of Endangered Ecological Communities; 3965 ha of under-reserved forest types; state protected wetlands and 40 ha of rainforest. These proposals are in addition to the more than one thousand hectares of bushland already zoned for development in the five local government areas of the Lower Hunter. This madness has to stop. Environment groups were given an extended deadline to lodge submissions to the Strategy while they waited for the information to be released, but now claim that the community as a whole was duped. James Ryan, spokesperson for the Environment and Community Coalition of Hunter Organisations said, “This is what the Department of Planning didn't want the people of the Hunter to know. The community needs to be made aware of just how irresponsible this Strategy is. Hunter environment and community groups are demanding that the detailed maps released to us yesterday go on public exhibition and that a plan be released for strong and comprehensive protection of the environmental values of the region.”