Ms SEATON (Southern Highlands) [4.00 p.m.]: It is important for our future and our children’s future that we take the opportunity to recognise World Environment Day, 5 June, and acknowledge the enormous amount of work being done around Australia by numerous community groups and school groups, in partnership with government agencies. It is most important that we acknowledge our power as individuals to make a difference in our personal attitude to environmental issues. It gives me great pleasure to initiate this motion on behalf of the Coalition because so many of these volunteer community groups are working on environmental projects in rural and regional New South Wales, as well as in urban New South Wales in the Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong areas.

Caring for the environment begins at home with one person. One person has the capacity to influence others, and so on, until it is possible to create a societal change about the way we value our natural resources, so-called waste products, the air, water and land quality that we pass on to our children. One of the most inspiring groups I have encountered in New South Wales is the group I worked with at Murray Irrigation, based at Deniliquin, that broader community who understand the environmental challenges and social responsibilities they have taken on their shoulders, who, with government encouragement - and, indeed, government sponsorship - have taken industry into the next millennium.

Murray Irrigation, in partnership with other government agencies, produced four land and water management plans with community consultation and with significant private irrigator funding to start to make important inroads into the salinity problems in the Murray-Darling Basin. Those plans have the capacity to educate the broader local community and to demonstrate the benefits of this community-based work. The Southern Highlands electorate is fortunate to have thousands of local people involved in a range of local environmental projects. Today in this matter of public importance I will list some of those local projects. Unfortunately, time will not allow me to list them all. Many of our local schools, in particular, are at the forefront of volunteer and community projects.

I mention particularly The Oaks School, whose principal, Mr Phil Costa, has organised students at the school to take an active interest in the fortunes of Werriberee Creek, which others might know as Monkey Creek, the creek that feeds into Warragamba Dam and is potentially responsible for much of the sewage overflow that goes into Sydney’s catchment system. Mr Costa ensures that all the rubbish that comes out of that school, including uneaten lunches and food scraps, goes into worm farms outside each classroom. I acknowledge also the efforts of the small but dedicated Kangaroo Valley team that looks after the welfare of the brush-tailed rock wallaby. The team does a lot of environmental work trying to make sure that the environment and the habitat for the wallaby is protected.

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I acknowledge also the efforts of dairy farmers in Kangaroo Valley who are working with local green groups to remediate the river banks and also to undertake drainage and effluent projects to try to minimise damaging effluent in a positive way. Rae Stewart and Jane Bange also deserve congratulations for the environmental work that they do in the Kangaroo Valley. Another major leader in the Southern Highlands is Mr Cliff Reece, who, although a relatively recent resident of the Southern Highlands, took it upon himself to start the Southern Highlands Landcare group, which he founded a few months ago.

I attended the initial meetings of the group, at which we worked out a list of priority projects in the Southern Highlands. The group is now doing an enormous amount of work related to Landcare projects. Mr Reece is also keen to see the further acceptance of the dung beetle as an agent for removing farm animal waste from our landscape. I support him in that cause and look forward to working with him further. Recently some fabulous work has been done on Bong Bong Common, between Moss Vale and Bowral. Joanna Gash, the Federal member for Gilmore, deserves congratulations for that project. She and the green corps and many other local volunteers have worked to plant trees along Bong Bong Common to hold the river banks.

On previous occasions in this House I have spoken about the proposed Bargo River National Park group, led by Roland Ware and Julie Shepherd, who are working hard to finalise a proposal to the Minister for the Environment on the Bargo River area, which they are keen to see protected. I acknowledge also the contribution of Dr Tony Ross, who provides great leadership in the upper Nepean catchment management trust. Dr Ross is a scientist at Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, but he also provides great leadership in catchment issues and has been involved in many local green projects around the Wollondilly area. He has been a great source of advice to me, for which I thank him.

Some of the local schools in the Southern Highlands electorate have contributed enormously. Oxley College, in partnership with the Wollondilly Catchment Management Committee, again involving Phil Costa, has been taking part in a project to regenerate trees along the banks of the Wingecarribee River, which is in desperate need of tender, loving care. I was fortunate to be taken on a kayaking trip with Mr Ian Royds, who is the kayaking master at the school. Mr Royds showed me the extent of willow infestation in the river and emphasised the necessity to remove those willows properly over time. I am very keen to support him and other members of that group in that project.

Another important project is taking place further down the Wingecarribee River beyond the weir in Berrima. With the help of National Trust members and other community members and funding from Sydney Water and the National Heritage Trust, a good deal of the willows have been removed scientifically and the banks have been restored and remediated to try to restore the Wingecarribee River through historic Berrima. Another major project is the Cherry Tree Walk, which is a memorial to Australians who died during service in the Vietnam War.

Part of that memorial project is the restoration of the Mittagong Rivulet, which flows through the pipe there, removal of the cumbungi weed, and its replacement with some native species. Effie Kerr and her committee deserve congratulations on that effort. I acknowledge also the efforts of the staff and students of the Wingello school, a very small but vibrant school. The principal, Mr Tim Ryan, and Leanne Pike, the president of the parents and citizens association, have led students in the planting of the school’s native garden, which has significantly added to the environmental qualities of the school and provides shade as well as bird habitat. They have done a great job on that project.

It is important to also mention the Wingecarribee Swamp, which, whilst technically outside my electorate of Southern Highlands, has a big influence on the overall environmental qualities of the electorate. David Tranter and Larry Whipper and other members of the Robertson Environment Protection Society and the National Parks Association have been keen to see the disastrous situation at Wingecarribee Swamp remediated. They are part of the steering committee, and I will be working closely with them to make sure that Sydney Water fulfils its obligations to ensure that the Department of Mineral Resources in turn fulfils its obligations to remediate damage that appears to have been caused by peat mining.

Apart from the obvious environmental disaster that occurred, the whole Wingecarribee Swamp and its delicate ecosystem is now at risk of bushfire because the peat has dried out and just one spark will cause the whole swamp to go up in flames. Another person who deserves to be congratulated is Jane Lemann, who leads the Mount Gibraltar weeding project group. The group is trying to remove introduced species from Mount Gibraltar, which is one of the most spectacular natural features in Bowral and Mittagong. Jane and her group spend
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many hours every week trying to remove lantana and other introduced species from what is a very beautiful native vegetation area.

I acknowledge also the efforts of Robert Sloss and Joy Hafee, who are part of a very active local community group at Wirrimbirra sanctuary, which is in the Wollondilly. The group is actively involved in trying to promote the White Waratah, which is the symbol of Wollondilly. Just down the road from the sanctuary is the native dingo reserve, which I will be looking forward to visiting during the next week. Last but not least, a group of students from the Friendship School have had help from the Upper Nepean Catchment Management Committee to weed, plant and stabilise creek banks in the upper Nattai to enable native indigenous species to regenerate.

I look forward to hearing what other honourable members, including the honourable member for Pittwater, have to say in today’s debate. I know that they will refer to lots of local environmental projects in honour of World Environment Day on 5 June. I trust that that will be an opportunity for us to recognise and to give encouragement to all those volunteer groups of students who, every weekend after school, undertake remediation and planting projects, spend their evenings planning projects and determining their priorities, and get on with the job. I commend all volunteer school and community groups for the important and excellent work that they do to improve our environment in the lead-up to World Environment Day.

Mr STEWART (Bankstown - Parliamentary Secretary) [4.10 p.m.]: I commend the motion before the House. Other honourable members have already said that World Environment Day will be celebrated on Saturday 5 June. It will serve to remind us that we all share one planet. Since the Rio conference took place in 1992, all nations have pledged to work together to help preserve the environment. Community action and education are the keys for resolving environmental problems. That is in line with global philosophy and thinking and local action. Today, environmental education is largely about preparing students for the future, because they are our future. We must change our behaviour and our attitude towards the environment.

Schools play a key role in this process through various projects, programs and initiatives. The current environmental education curriculum statement, K12, is now being revised. A new curriculum statement for environmental education will be released early in the year 2000. World Environment Day is an important day for all schools. They will be able to organise a number of separate activities to celebrate this important occasion. Yesterday, the Minister for Education and Training presented to the House annual school reports from 20 field study centres. The Department of Education and Training also manages three annexes and two zoo education centres, and provides an education officer at the Hunter Catchment Management Trust.

Thousands of students visit those field study centres annually and benefit greatly from those visits. In 1998 the Carr Labor Government passed the environmental education Act, which led to the establishment of the Environmental Education Council. New South Wales is the only State in Australia that has enshrined environmental education in legislation. We should be proud of that fact. That council will advise both the Minister for Education and Training and the Minister for the Environment on environmental education issues. It will submit a three-year strategic plan which will involve all stakeholders in the environmental education movement. The council - the only council of its kind in Australia and one of the few environmental councils in the world - will provide a sound basis for our children and their children to understand the importance of the environment.

I am pleased to report that New South Wales is now leading the world in environmental education. That is largely because of the input of these sorts of government initiatives. New South Wales represents Australia in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Centre for Educational Research and Innovation environmental and school initiatives program which encompasses 15 nations. New South Wales is also co-ordinating 40 schools Australiawide in an email project, in which Australian schools share environmental projects with schools in Europe. Other major programs supported by other government departments include: stream watch, murder under the microscope, Landcare, Rivercare, Rotary trees for 2000, earth watch, waste watch, school communities recycling all paper, or SCRAP, air watch, NRMA Clean Air 2000, Coastcare and a variety of other programs which are supported locally, such as those developed by the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Trust, which is to be commended.

Many schools are also developing ecologically sustainable practices. For example, some have constructed wetlands, an outdoor science laboratory, herb and food gardens, fitness tracks, nature trails, recycling centres and worm farms. In my electorate a number of schools have concentrated on creating environmental programs that highlight for children
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in inner suburban areas the importance of the environment, the awareness needed at that level, and the best way in which to deal effectively with the environment so that it is not damaged by them or by future generations. That is an important message. These programs help children learn in an innovative and fun way. Children want to participate in these programs. Most of the children in my electorate live in home units; they do not have a great deal of green environment around them.

In blunt terms, they are surrounded by a concrete jungle. Through school activities and these environmental programs - which are not limited to my electorate alone; they are found throughout New South Wales - children are better able to understand how to sustain the environment and to be part of that sustainability program. TAFE New South Wales is working with the Environment Protection Authority in developing vocational courses with environmental strands, as well as courses relating directly to the environment. Schools and communities throughout the State have organised a variety of festivals, ceremonies, celebrations and meetings for World Environment Day. These events will remind us of the need to be aware of the importance of the environment and how we can act to protect it. That is the major message.

Major issues include: waste management, greenhouse gas emissions, soil depletion, water quality, air quality and climate change. A number of activities are planned for World Environment Day. Today, year 11 students at Turramurra High School and Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School are debating in Ku-ring-gai council chambers the topic of stormwater pollution as a danger to national parks. This debate will promote an awareness in the community about environmental issues and their management. A catchment discovery day has been organised by the Cowan catchment committee to celebrate World Environment Day on 5 June. It will run from the local field studies centre in the Ku-ring-gai national park. A riverfest fair day is to be held on Sunday 6 June at Campbelltown.

This famous festival in Campbelltown, which is attended by thousands of people, helps to promote environmental awareness and the importance of the river region in the Campbelltown area. The fair assists in making communities aware of river and stream pollution in the district and demonstrates how the community can assist in looking after catchments - in this case the Georges River, which feeds catchments in the surrounding areas of Campbelltown.

I am pleased to report that the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been extremely active throughout New South Wales in promoting World Environment Day and the importance of environmental awareness. More than 1,400 volunteers are actively contributing to the protection of our States through this service. They have promoted World Environment Day very effectively.

World Environment Day gives us an opportunity to recognise the efforts of volunteers who participate in ongoing programs, short-term projects and events involving individuals at all levels. Volunteer activities include: bush regeneration, flora and fauna surveys and projects assisting in the management of threatened species, including the Blue Mountains area which has received a lot of attention recently. Bushland in an area within my electorate - the Greenacre region - is now being properly sustained through a volunteer program. That bushland, which was once threatened, is one of the last areas where the southern bell frog is to be found. Other indigenous species of reptiles, birds and flora would not exist if it were not for local volunteers who get together every weekend to ensure that we maintain a pristine environment.

The national parks focus includes guided walks and tours undertaken by school volunteers to encourage environmental awareness and to make the community aware of the importance of bushland surrounding our city areas. A number of recreation clubs undertake conservation work throughout many electorates and, more importantly, national parks. Those areas are sustained largely through volunteer work. In urban fringe areas a large number of people are neighbours of a national park. Volunteer programs and activities offer an opportunity for schools and community groups to work together on issues of common interest and concern and to promote two-way communication.

Most importantly, volunteers work together as a team towards enhancing their local environment. The voluntary community groups work without payment to ensure the focus of our future is in place for our children. That is what this matter is about. I applaud the focus of this matter of public importance because our children need to be aware of the importance of the environment. I thank the volunteers who have made environmental programs available to our children and have worked tirelessly, and continue to do so, in their free time. I support the matter of public importance.

Mr BROGDEN (Pittwater) [4.20 p.m.]: I thank the House for the opportunity to speak in this debate. I commend the honourable member for Southern Highlands and the shadow minister for the environment for bringing this matter to the attention of the House today. The matter of public importance is to congratulate the excellent voluntary work done by schools and community groups around New
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South Wales as a result of World Environment Day. However, on behalf of the Coalition I express some disappointment about the absence of the Minister for the Environment in this Chamber during debate on this important matter. I appreciate the contribution of the honourable member for Bankstown, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education and Training, in particular his focus on the excellent work done by schools. However, I am disappointed that the Minister for the Environment did not take possibly the only opportunity before World Environment Day on Saturday 5 June to join in this debate.

I take the opportunity to celebrate the role that communities, in particular, play in our local environment. The trend of community involvement in the local environment is not new. There are many examples in every electorate of longstanding community groups being involved in environmental concerns. I note the role of Katandra Bush Sanctuary in Ingleside in the electorate of Pittwater, which has been established for some 50 years. The sanctuary was bequeathed by the owner of the site. The membership of its board is made up of family members of the deceased, such as nephews, great-nieces and granddaughters, and high-profile members of the local community. Its role is to celebrate the environment and a pristine piece of natural bushland in the Pittwater community. In recent times the community and local councils have focused on individual environmental projects, which have brought great credit to the communities and particularly the volunteers involved.

As do all volunteers in our community, those volunteers give up their time on a regular basis to put in hard work - hard physical work in many cases - to regenerate bushland, to eliminate waste and noxious weeds and to revel in, enjoy and celebrate their local environment. One project of particular significance to the community of Pittwater is the bush regeneration at the Bilgola bends. The Bilgola bends are the gateway to the northern peninsula. I live in the suburb of Bilgola at the top of the bends, which is a winding two-lane road that is surrounded on both sides by sloping natural bushland. When plans were proposed many years ago to straighten the bends, the then Department of Main Roads dumped a huge amount of waste down the side of the slope.

The community is working together on a fantastic project to regenerate that bushland, eradicate the noxious weeds and give the land back to the community. The weeds had taken control of the area. Some members of the community were very concerned about future plans to straighten the bends because when they cleared away the noxious weeds hardly anything was left. I congratulate Pittwater Council and the Roads and Traffic Authority on their involvement in this significant project, and I particularly celebrate the effort of the volunteers who give up their weekends and weekdays to encourage the natural environment to again take control of the Bilgola bends.

In the Warringah Council area, which touches parts of all four electorates on the northern beaches, a number of projects are proceeding. Some of the programs that are funded by Warringah Council, in consultation with the community, are Warringah Friends of the Bush, pampas grass mapping, school bushland regeneration, partnerships with OZ Green, Dee Why wetlands program and Warringah Council streamwatch support. Such programs celebrate our community and will feature strongly in the role of World Environment Day on Saturday.

Ms SEATON (Southern Highlands) [4.25 p.m.], in reply: I have a personal quest: to leave the land that I am responsible for in better shape than when I found it. I think that sentiment is shared by thousands of people in my Southern Highlands community, and I am sure that all honourable members would say the same of their communities. Campaigns such as Clean Up Australia and Do the Right Thing materially changed my mindset as a young person about the power of the individual to make a difference and to influence others. In my lifetime I have seen the community attitude change from one of out of mind, out of sight to one of taking a greater responsibility for the movement of all materials through our environment.

It is up to us as community representatives to take the opportunity of World Environment Day to acknowledge the role played by individuals and community groups in moving the environmental agenda forward and in making a difference to our environment. I also share the concerns of the honourable member for Pittwater. I am disappointed that the Minister for the Environment is not present to celebrate World Environment Day by contributing to this debate. I am sure that many Blue Mountains community and volunteer groups would be keen to have their efforts recognised on this appropriate occasion. I am grateful to the honourable member for Bankstown for his contribution. The environmental education legislation was supported by the Coalition.

The honourable member’s comments about thinking globally, acting locally were very important. He illustrated the links between Australian and European students through an email
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project. That is an important step forward in ensuring that young people in our community are interested in linking with children on the other side of the globe to share information. The honourable member for Bankstown referred also to the importance of fun and innovation in education projects. It was poignant to hear that children in his electorate who live in high-density home units perhaps do not have access to the open green spaces that are enjoyed by children in regional electorates. But it was heartening to hear that those communities are involved in projects to protect local frog and bird species. Such projects show that even people who live in a densely built-up urban environment can make a difference.

My colleague the honourable member for Pittwater has always shown a great interest in environmental issues, such as water quality. He touched on some of the wonderful natural features in his electorate, such as the ocean beaches and the Hawkesbury-Pittwater waterways. The honourable member for Pittwater referred also to the Katandra Bush Sanctuary at Ingleside and the importance of councils linking with communities to achieve results. I share his enthusiasm for the regeneration of the Bilgola bends. I remember them from my childhood days. They were a fantastic natural feature that needed some tender, loving care. Clearly, that is happening as a result of his community’s interest.

I also take the opportunity to mention significant interest from some groups of my Southern Highlands community in the agenda 21 proposal, which puts forward that social, environmental and economic interests in any proposal are fully understood, dealt with and balanced. A committee has been set up in the Southern Highlands to ensure that the social, environmental and economic aspects of any proposal are balanced and properly considered, and it looks forward to receiving more active support from council.

I thank again the honourable member for Pittwater and the honourable member for Bankstown for their contributions today to the debate on this matter of public importance and the important message they have helped to create that will send a strong signal of support to the thousands of volunteers involved in school groups, community groups, in partnerships with government agencies and organisations such as Landcare and Rivercare, whose work individually and as groups makes an enormous difference to the environment. It is important that the House send that strong message of support to those groups as we prepare to celebrate World Environment Day on 5 June.

Discussion concluded.