The changes remove needed…

Comment

The changes remove needed transparency and make all applications for MZOs look shady just by association. If a developer requires this kind of Ministerial intervention, they should be prepared to present it in public fora for consultation. We should not give developers carte blanche to pay offsets to decimate local environmental habitats putting wildlife, the environment and local communities and infrastructure at risk.

MZOs should be restricted to those instances where the facts provide certainty that society will get a long term benefit from the damages proposed. Since societal health is directly connected to environmental health the facts need to be crystal clear, strongly documented and effectively communicated to all stakeholders. Short term gain for developers leads to long term pain for everyone. It must not be allowed to continue.