November 2024
Government officials sometimes comment on the scarcity of public expression for or against proposals and policies under review, which can result in lack of action from our leaders on important issues. Consequently, the task of writing submissions on behalf of WEPA members is one of our key priorities. Where timing permits, we try to alert members, who may be interested in directly lodging a personal statement on issues that resonate strongly. Your submission can be brief, yet accounts of personal experience from a mass of individuals makes an impact with our decision makers. Look out for WEPA Bulletin alerts and follow us on Facebook to stay informed of submission opportunities that we feel have local environmental relevance. Additionally, if you have any expertise in a particular area, we’d welcome suggestions or contributions that could be submitted through WEPA.
WEPA has recently lodged two submissions in response to NSW policy reviews:
- Management of cat populations
There is abundant evidence of the harm that roaming cats inflict on our native animal populations. We can see this in many ways – members have reported incidences of wildlife kills; ‘lost cat’ alerts are a common feature on local social pages; and sensor cameras set up in Willoughby bushland capturing cat movements provide evidence of the problem. Research shows that each roaming cat kills around 110 native animals per year and that 70% of owners allow their cats to roam. Other states have taken action to set standards for pet owners including registration, desexing and anti-roaming laws. We are fortunate to live in an area with so much bushland which is home to a variety of native animals who are regrettably very vulnerable to cat attack. For this reason, WEPA voiced our support for stronger cat management regulation in NSW.
You can read the WEPA submission here.
2. Draft plan for action on plastics
NSW currently lags behind other states on initiatives and policies to help reduce the burden of plastics on our environment. WEPA responded to the draft plan, which outlined actions and a timetable to reduce plastic litter, microplastics/harmful chemicals and other problematic plastic items in circulation. We supported most of the proposals, however we also suggested other items for consideration, such as plastic cable ties, wet wipes and artificial turf. We also urged the Government to take faster action on initiatives that have been on the agenda for some time, or already actioned in other states, such as a complete ban on lightweight balloons and plastic stickers on fresh produce.
You can read the WEPA submission here.
Top image Invasive Species Council Facebook page.
Lower image: Catherine Sheila on Pexels.
Home page image: Lara Jameson on Pexels.