New push to end controversial protections for NSW’s Snowy Mountain brumbies

The future of one state’s famous brumbies hangs in the balance amid a new push to have controversial protections scrapped.

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.”

A bill is set to be introduced to repeal controversial protections for NSW brumbies. Picture: Sean Davey

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.”

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said the state government was ‘focused on population management’. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

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.

Currently, the NSW government employs a range of brumby management measures, including trapping and rehoming and early-days immunocontraceptives.

Originally published as New push to end controversial protections for NSW’s Snowy Mountain brumbies