Latest news with #brumbies
News.com.au
17 hours ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
New push to end controversial protections for NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies
The future of NSW's Snowy Mountain brumbies may hang in the balance if a new bill is passed to repeal controversial protections for the invasive species. Independent Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr gave notice on Wednesday of his intention to introduce a Bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act. The Act, introduced by former deputy premier John Barilaro, recognised the 'heritage' value of brumbies and mandated their population be reduced to 3000. While it will be years until a new target is set, Invasive Species CEO Jack Gough said even one horse in Kosciuszko would cause 'enormous amounts of damage'. 'The question is the scale of damage that we're prepared to accept,' Mr Gough said alongside Mr McGirr on Wednesday. 'Having 1/3 of the national park set up as an area that is essentially a horse paddock instead of a national park is not something that Australians want.' Mr Gough admitted it would be difficult to reduce the number of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park to zero, but stressed the risk the brumbies posed. 'We know that the Australian landscape did not evolve with large, heavy, hard-hoofed animals that are cutting up that landscape,' he said. 'They are draining the peat moss and are causing enormous amount of damage to the homes of our native species.' In May, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service reported as few as 1500 brumbies may be left in the park following extensive aerial culling. While images released by the Park service showed recovery to the fragile alpine ecosystem, the method of reducing horse numbers has been controversial. Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst said there was 'no justification' for aerial shooting at Kosciuszko, and that the party would not be supporting Mr McGirr's bill. If it was passed, she expressed concern it would result in a 'push to kill any remaining animals that are there in the park'. 'The push to actually repeal this act, to open the doors to allow for that killing is mind boggling,' she said. Ms Hurst called on NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to 'keep her word' about aerial shooting. Ms Sharpe told a budget estimates committee aerial shooting had 'ceased for now' in the horse retention area after the population reports were released. Further aerial shooting has taken place outside of the retention area from June 10 until June 30, targeting 'all feral animals'. In a statement, Ms Sharpe said the state government was close to reaching the legislated targeted of 3000 wild horses in Kosciuszko, two years ahead of deadline. 'We're now focused on population management,' she said. 'We will have a look at the Bill, as we do with all Bills.' Future of the Brumby Bill remains unclear If passed, the Mr McGirr's bill would create a transition period from January 1 until July 1, 2027, at which point the previous management plan would end. The Wild Horses Community Advisory Panel will also be dissolved, with the state government freed up to create a new management plan. On Wednesday, Mr Gough and Mr McGirr expressed their confidence that the Bill would be approved with support from Labor and Liberals. Mr Gough said the so-called Brumby Bill had 'no friends left' in either the upper or lower houses, including from the Liberals, Greens, and Labor. Ms Hurst was less certain, raising the possibility it may not be supported by Nationals Party or the Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers party. Australian Brumby Alliance President Nikki Alberts is part of a vocal minority in the community who stridently oppose the shooting of brumbies in the park. She also expressed fears that if the Heritage Act was repealed 'they'll go in and shoot them (the brumbies) all'. Ms Alberts said the Alliance had put forward a proposal for management of the brumby population, with a focus on rehoming.
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
NSW Bill protecting Snowy Mountains brumbies could be repealed in new push
Controversial laws protecting NSW's famed Snowy Mountains brumbies could be scrapped under a new Bill as parks staff celebrate success in their aerial culling campaign. Independent Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr is expected to give notice on Wednesday of his intention to introduce a Bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act. The Act, introduced by former deputy premier John Barilaro, recognised the 'heritage' value of the feral horses and mandated their population be reduced to 3000. The Bill faced significant pushback from conservationists and scientists following its introduction in 2018, including a 2023 challenge to its constitutional validity. Invasive Species chief executive Jack Gough said Labor, the Liberals, and the Greens had all recognised the need to take action to protect the park. 'Parliament now has an opportunity to right a historical wrong by repealing this damaging law which has protected a feral animal over our native wildlife in a national park,' he said 'For the sake of our native animals and precious mountain streams, we are calling on Premier Chris Minns and Opposition Leader Mark Speakman to come together.' NSW National Parks Association chief executive Gary Dunnett said the expected Bill was a 'long-overdue step' to ensure success of recent aerial culling of brumbies continued. A May state government report found the number of brumbies in Kosciuszko could be as low as 1500, down from a whopping 13,000 to 22,000 in 2024. The survey put the Labor government well ahead of its legally mandated goal of reducing the population to 3000 by June 30, 2027. 'Feral horse numbers in the park are finally trending downward,' Mr Dunnett said. 'No one likes to see animals killed but this is the tough decision we have to make to protect our wildlife. 'We're already seeing early signs of ecological recovery – but unless this law is repealed we will still have over 3000 horses trashing one third of the national park. 'Now is the time to finish the job.' Mr Dunnett said the Bill would be a chance to 'right an historic wrong' and protect the future of one of Australia's most precious landscapes. The future of the Brumbies, an invasive species, is a hot-button issue across Dr McGirr's Wagga Wagga electorate, which covers half of Kosciuszko National Park. The other half is covered by Labor Minister Steve Whan, who has backed the law's repeal. Speaking on his proposed Bill, Dr McGirr said the horses caused major damage to the alpine landscape, trampling wetlands and destroying habitat. 'It makes no sense to continue with a law that effectively requires that damage to continue,' he said. 'We would never accept a law that prioritises the protection of wild pigs, goats or foxes over native species, yet under the current law, we do just that for horses. 'It is time to reverse a wrong of the past and give the fragile high-country environment a chance to recover from years of degradation.' More than 11,000 people signed a petition in March to repeal the so-called Brumby Bill. For its part, the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service released photos in May of restoration to the fragile alpine ecosystem amid the reduction in feral horses. The Australian Brumby Alliance, which has have been vocally opposed to aerial culling of feral horses, described May's report as 'a horribly vexed tale'. The organisation is supporting a parallel petition by NSW Animal Justice Party MP Emma Hurst that is calling on the state government to implement 'nonlethal solutions'. An attempt to stop aerial culling of wild horses was dismissed by the NSW Supreme Court last year.
