2016-01-19
The urban canopies proposal is yet another token Turnbull gesture attempting to disguise the massive damage done in recent Liberal budgets, the Australian Greens said today.
"This is a government that wants to fund roads that cut through huge stretches of existing urban greenways, and offset it with some token tree-plantings," Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for Sustainable Cities Senator Scott Ludlam said today.
"In just two years, the Liberals have abolished the Major Cities Unit, and the National Urban Policy. They abolished the COAG Cities Reform Agenda. Mr Turnbull's professed love of innovation didn't stop the Liberals abolishing funding for National Innovation Precincts in 10 cities around Australia.
"We welcome the Liberals new interest in this area, but they need to do so much better than this.
"If they are at all serious about our cities, Turnbull and Hunt will abolish funding for Roe 8, a freeway that would destroy nearly six kilometres of urban greenery, and contribute hugely to the heat island effect in that part of the city," Senator Ludlam said.
"The Greens took a fully costed, comprehensive Greenways initiative to the last election. It's about a lot more than Minister Hunt's token tree-plantings. I invite him to take a look."
| 2013 Green Ribbons Initiative |