Coalition Announces NSW Community Environment Ambassador

13/12/11

The Coalition today announced the Member for Macquarie, Louise Markus as the New South Wales Community Environment Ambassador to support local grassroots projects to address climate change and deliver long term environmental benefits.

Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage, Greg Hunt, said “I am extremely pleased to announce Louise Markus as our NSW Community Environment Ambassador. The role is very important in connecting with local environment groups and identifying where the Coalition can provide assistance. Our Direct Action policy is all about supporting on the ground work which improves our local environment whilst also having a broader positive impact on reducing emissions.”

The launch has been marked with the planting of a tree in the electorate at Pierce’s Pass, Mt Irvine.

Mrs Markus said “I am pleased to have been announced as the NSW Community Environment Ambassador and look forward to the role ahead.”

“The environment is important for all Australians but in the seat of Macquarie, which includes parts of the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury, I believe we have a special connection. There are numerous volunteer groups within the electorate working hard to protect and restore our local environment. We need to ensure they have resources they need,” Mrs Markus said.

The Coalition is committed to planting 20 million trees in urban areas as part of its Direct Action policy. Mr Hunt today announced that one million will be planted in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury area along with the creation of a Western Sydney conservation corridor.

“Our goal is to provide the support local groups need to carry out their work and not have them tied in up paperwork applying for funding. We will cut the red tape so more time can be spent on the ground and funding goes direct to where it’s needed. We believe local people rather than bureaucrats in Canberra are better to make decisions and it is this grassroots environment work the Coalition’s environment policy supports,” Mr Hunt said.

A Community Environment Ambassador from the Coalition parliamentary team will be announced in each state over the coming months. Member for Longman, Wyatt Roy, was last week named as the Queensland Ambassador.

The Coalition’s Direct Action policy will deliver long term environmental benefits through investment in solar, increased tree plantations, establishment of a 15,000 Green Army and a once in a hundred year replenishment of our soils.