INVERELL'S Glenn Morris has taken his message about the importance of protecting native vegetation all the way to Sydney - and stopped traffic to do it.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He rode his horse along the eighth lane of the Sydney Harbour Bridge towards the city at about 10am today, June 23, to raise awareness among metropolitan residents about a raft of new laws he's concerned will compromise the protection of the environment.
Mr Morris is the general manager of FigTrees Organic Farms, which produces beef and pork on two properties at Inverell and Grafton, and is a passionate campaigner for sustainable farming practices, and the impact of climate change.
His high-profile stunt comes just days before public consultation closes on the state government's new biodiversity and conservation laws, which will replace the contentious Native Vegetation Act.
The government says the new Biodiversity and Conservation Act offers farmers greater flexibility when it comes to improving their land and increasing profitability, while still ensuring the protection of native species, however critics maintain it will make it easier for big agribusiness and property developers to clear native bushland.
For Mr Morris, the threat is real.
"We need vegetation on farms to protect healthy soils and rivers, and yet the state government plans to allow important native vegetation to be cleared more easily,"
- he said in a statement yesterday.
Police stopped and spoke to Mr Morris near the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, after he had ridden over the bridge and onto the Cahill Expressway.
A police spokesman said yesterday afternoon that no action had been taken against him at that time, but inquiries were continuing.