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Dear Members and Supporters Last week saw another milestone in HPG’s ongoing efforts to help protect Harbour Trust lands with the introduction of the Amendment Bill to Parliament. Read more about the Amendment Bill here → Key changes advocated by HPG were included in the Amendment Bill, in particular that:The Trust will continue as an ongoing entity as the manager of Trust lands, ensuring that the sites are rehabilitated, preserved and maintained for future generations, and The leasing provisions will be strengthened by capping leases at 35 years and ensuring that the Trust will consult with the Community Advisory Committee and the public, as well as provide a statement of reasons as to why any longer-term lease of between 25 and 35 years should be considered. In addition, Parliamentary oversight provisions in respect of longer leases have been retained and strengthened.
This is a very positive outcome to our campaign against uncapped long leases and dilution of Parliamentary scrutiny. It is a testament to the vigilance, persistence, knowledge and skills of the many people involved in the campaign that these changes to the Draft Bill were made. My very great appreciation to all those who contributed to achieving this outcome. On HPG’s behalf, I have thanked Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment, for her willingness to engage with and listen to the community in respect of the proposed amendments and also Trent Zimmerman, Member for North Sydney, and Senator Andrew Bragg for their advocacy in support of capped leases. It is important to acknowledge the strong bipartisan support from Leader of the Australian Labor Party, Anthony Albanese and Zali Steggall, Member for Warringah, without which we may have not achieved this result. My thanks to those of you who have contacted us in celebrating this result. It is a victory for all Australians, who can now continue to enjoy access to these wonderful sites for generations to come. Yours in support of public lands,
Jill L’Estrange
President Headland Preservation Group
hpg.org.au
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