The New South Wales government's annual release of data on tree cover, published today, shows the bulldozing of forests and woodlands increased by more than 50% on the previous year, putting the Minns government's promise to leave nature in a better state than they found it in jeopardy.
The latest NSW SLATS (Statewide Landcover and Tree Study) data shows 66,498 hectares of native vegetation including 32,847ha of forest and woodland was cleared across New South Wales in 2023, compared to 47,388 of native vegetation and 21,131ha of forest and woodland cleared in 2022.
Agriculture was again the biggest driver of clearing, contributing 51,201 hectares and 77% of all the clearing in 2023.
"What that means in real terms is more homes for native wildlife were knocked down in this 12-month period than the previous year, pushing species like koalas, quolls, greater gliders and gang gang cockatoos closer to extinction," said the Australian Conservation Foundation's Nathaniel Pelle.
"Recent investigations by ACF have found deforestation continues at an alarming rate across Australia, carried out by a minority of beef producers but at sufficient scale to make us the only wealthy country on a list of global deforestation hotspots.
"That is an embarrassing position to be in while Australia bids to co-host next year's climate COP and claims membership of the UN Forests and Climate Leaders Partnership. It's urgent the federal government works with the states on a national plan to end deforestation.
"It should ring warning bells for the NSW and federal governments and for the majority of responsible land managers in the beef industry whose reputation and market access is put at risk by the actions of a minority.
"Supermarkets Coles, Woolworths and Aldi have pledged to only sell deforestation-free beef by the end of this year and this data shows how important it is that they implement those commitments.
"Meanwhile Hungry Jack's and Four'n Twenty Pies manufacturer Patties, are yet to make any commitment to remove deforestation from their supply chains, while McDonald's will allow deforestation until 2030 - in the meantime they're contributing to the problem.
"Ken Henry's 2023 review of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act found the legislation was failing to prevent the destruction of nature, these figures are evidence of that."
