General
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance ordered millions of trees along highways be cleared after bushfires
The NSW Roads Minister ordered his top bureaucrat to clear millions of trees along every highway in NSW even though the agency said it had no authority to do so, it has emerged.
Andrew Constance made the direction in the aftermath of the Black Summer bushfires in a letter to then secretary of Transport for NSW (TfNSW) Rodd Staples.
Mr Staples was terminated last year and received a severance of more than $83,000.
Yesterday, Mr Constance told a budget estimates inquiry that the failure to comply with this instruction was one of the reasons he believed the department needed to go in a “new direction”.
“What’s gone on there is a classic example of what needs to change,” Mr Constance said.
“Because after that event when lives were put at risk…
-
Noosa News23 hours agoNRL grand final quick hits: Reece Walsh creates magic after avoiding sin bin as Broncos survive Hunt, Reynolds injuries to win premiership
-
General23 hours agoHow the internet reacted to Brisbane Broncos winning the NRL grand final
-
General12 hours agoThree youths in police custody after fire at Ashley Youth Detention Centre in northern Tasmania
-
Noosa News15 hours agoNew playground equipment encourages children to learn through ‘risky play’