On that day, our government repealed the hard won Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, the Native Vegetation Act 2003 and the Nature Conservation Trust Act 2001.

They have been replaced with acts that are being called a retrograde step and genocide.

With biodiversity on the decline across NSW already, this legislation has the potential to increase local extinctions, erode conservation and recreational values as well as dramatically increase greenhouse emissions.

One of Australia’s most respected scientists, Hugh Possingham resigned his position as a leading advisor to NSW government group, over this proposal.

Why is the Baird government so determined to undo advances in native habitat and species protection?

Rather than showing leadership and addressing conflict in the community, they are planning to simply exit the space.

When Queensland introduced similar legislation, the results were shocking with land clearing doubling.

Biodiversity belongs to all of us, including future generations.

Once ecological communities are lost, they are so difficult to replace, as many of the many land carers in our area know.

Now we can no longer rely on government laws to protect our endangered species and habitats, it’s up to local communities and individuals.

Most farmers and land managers in our area take great pride in their role as environmental stewards.

I don’t think we want to be seen as a state that has no regard for the value of biodiversity, do we?

If ever our state needed guardians to stand up for our flora and fauna, it is now.

The Burrinjuck Greens is the local group of The Greens NSW, based in Yass.

The group covers an area spanning from Cowra to Murrumbateman and including the towns of Yass, Young and Gundagai.