This act is the kosciuszko wild horse heritage act 2018. Ensure that the plan of management of kosciuszko national park is the primary management document to guide the operation of the park. This management plan discusses the available management tools that could be used to minimise the impact of feral horses in the alpine region of kosciuszko national park. Humane effective feral horse control essential for kosciuszko. Kosciuszko feral horse plan confronts growing disaster. Protecting kosciuszkos wild horses from culling nsw. Called the kosciuszko national park draft wild horse management plan, the document has already undergone a protracted development process in consultation with communities and relevant stakeholders. Kosciuszko national park archives pestsmart connect. The national parks and wildlife service, part of the nsw office of environment and heritage, has a legal duty to protect the range of natural and cultural values within kosciuszko national park, and a responsibility to minimise the impact of introduced species, including wild horses. This article is a response to that plan, and is written by a bushwalker for a bushwalking audience. A nsw national parks and wildlife service cull during 2006 and 2007 in kosciuszko national park, where there were an estimated 1700 horses in 2005, resulted in a reduction of 64 horses. That plan, passed in 2008, relied on trapping the brumbies with lures, and then removing them from the park for domestication and rehoming.
Jun 03, 2018 the new south wales governments plan to protect wild horses from lethal culling inside kosciuszko national park will veto evidencebased management of their environmental impact, the. Maintaining the balance between protecting the park and facilitating. Kosciuszko national park alpine area horse management plan. The new south wales governments plan to protect wild horses from lethal culling inside kosciuszko national park will veto evidencebased management of their environmental impact, the. These methods were narrowed to a smaller group by the wild horse management steering comitte. In accordance with the act, a wild horse heritage plan of management will be developed to. Minister vows to stop brumbies doing more damage to kosciuszko. Plan to cull 90 per cent of mount kosciuszko brumbies pulled after outrage erupted about destroying the iconic horses. Department of the environment 2015 national recovery plan for the alpine sphagnum bogs and associated fens. Kosciuszko wild horse heritage bill 2018 parliament of nsw.
Namadgi national park feral horse management plan 2007 3 1. Submission in support of the draft kosciuszko national park. Kosciuszko national park plan of management nsw environment. Aug 19, 2016 it is this deep knowledge of ecology and management which allows us to draw our conclusions that rapid, humane horse control is essential for kosciuszko national park to perform its primary. Kosciuszko national park plan of management kosciuszko national park, which encompasses 673,542 hectares, is the largest national park in new south wales and one of the most complex conservation reserves in australia. Kosciuszko national park in submissions a cracking dawn lights up a stunning display of wildflowers in an area that may be kept feral horse free in kosciuszko national park if the new hire management plan is adopted. No management of brumbies in kosciuszko for 18 months the. Its borders contain a mix of rugged mountains and wilderness, characterised by an alpine climate, which makes it popular with recreational skiers. Submission to the draft wild horse management plan. Kosciuszko national park wild horse management plan.
However, the draft plan is currently up for public consultation, and people are encouraged to make a submission prior to the 8th of july this year. Name kosciuszkonationalparkhorsemanagementplan080254. It was originally published in the latest edition of the bushwalk. Ski or snowboard the highest runs in the country at thredbo and perisher. Sep 22, 2014 in 2008, the kosciuszko national park horse management community steering group made a fateful decision. May 03, 2016 called the kosciuszko national park draft wild horse management plan, the document has already undergone a protracted development process in consultation with communities and relevant stakeholders. Kosciuszko national park wild horse management the delicate alpine and subalpine ecosystems of kosciuszko national park face many threats, including pressures from introduced animals such as wild horses. The draft plan is to identify the heritage value of sustainable wild horse populations. Control of horses in kosciuszko national park began in the early 1970s with a licensed horse roping brumby running program. Public and national parks and wildlife service npws concerns over the inhumane practice, along with the adoption of a plan of management in 1982, resulted in the practice being banned.
Feral horse management in national parks colong foundations 2003 submission to the draft feral horse plan for the alpine area of kosciuszko national park. Called the kosciuszko wild horse heritage act 2018, it prioritises a harmful invasive species over the fragile ecosystems of a national park and world biosphere reserve the decision to protect destructive feral horses in kosciuszko national park at the expense of our native plants and. Objectives which are often in direct or indirect conflict. Kosciuszko wild horse heritage bill 2018 nsw part 2 wild horse heritage management plan part 2 wild horse heritage management plan 5 preparation of draft wild horse heritage management plan 1 the chief executive is to cause a draft wild horse heritage management plan to be prepared for kosciuszko national park the draft plan. The decision to protect destructive feral horses in kosciuszko national park at the. From jindabyne to tumut, nsws largest national park will keep you busy for a weekend or for weeks. With deeply entrenched viewpoints on either side, one of the aims of the process was to engage with everyday citizens and understand their views and values.
Wild horses in the national park were given protection by the nsw parliament in 2018 under the divisive kosciuszko wild horse heritage act but with the caveat that active management of the. The following is taken from a statement put out today 29 may by penny sharpe mlc shadow minister for the environment. In kosciuszko national park the nsw government has abandoned a science based management plan developed following extensive consultation. Since 2003 the number of horses within nnp has increased to. Maintaining the balance between protecting the park and the heritage value of wild horses is a complex task. This horse management plan was prepared by staff of the south west slopes and snowy.
A wild horse plan will be prepared for presumably large areas that have been identified as being part of the wild horse plan. Kosciuszko national park draft wild horse management plan 2016 3 summary kosciuszko national park is the largest national park in new south wales and one of the largest conservation reserves in australia. The park is approximately 150 kilometres in length, running from the victorian border to the west of the acts. Passing the brumby bill is a backward step for environmental protection in australia. Kosciuszko national park horse management plan environment. In 1976 the npws closed the road to public vehicles because of safety and environmental concerns. It is this deep knowledge of ecology and management which allows us to draw our conclusions that rapid, humane horse control is essential for. The park is named after mount kosciuszko, which at 2,228 metres is australias highest mountain. Why is there a wild horse management plan for kosciuszko. He told guardian australia the new plan should be seen as an. Reinforcing land management history that is not grounded in national park values is a mistake. Submission in support of the draft kosciuszko national.
Protect kosciuszko national park from feral horse degradation. Who we are formed in 2005, lawyers for animals lfa is a notforprofit. The draft plan has proposed reducing the brumby population in the states biggest national park by 90 per cent in 20 years, from an estimated 6,000 to 600. The nsw national parks and wildlife service commenced a plan in 2007 to reduce brumby numbers by passive trapping in the oxley wild rivers national park. On 1 of may 2016, the draft wild horse management plan for the kosciuszko national park knp 2016 the 2016 plan was released for public comment. In kosciuszko national park the nsw government has abandoned a sciencebased management plan developed following extensive consultation. Advisory council means the national parks and wildlife advisory council. Australian ecologists letter to the nsw premier in. Hike to the summit of mount kosciuszko, or descend underground to magical yarrangobilly caves adventure seekers can get their thrills on the many walks and mountain bike trails. Review of the 2008 horse management plan and wild horse management program, kosciuszko national park 2 a balance must be found between the protection of the environmental and other values of the park and retention of the cultural values represented by wild horses.
This communitybased steering group was made up of members from relevant organisations and was created to guide the development of the plan to ensure it. The npws carries out a passive trapping program within kosciuszko national park to reduce the number of wild horses in the park, currently estimated to number between 4,500 and 5,000 following the 2009 aerial survey by dr michele dawson. Mountains region of the nsw national parks and wildlife service the. A heritage management plan will be created for the horses, which will override other management plans for the national park where there is inconsistency. Signatories to this letter include 41 ecologists from 16 universities in queensland, new. Kosciuszko national park is home to a horse population of an estimated 6000 horses. Thousands of feral horses to be removed from kosciuszko. In 2008, the kosciuszko national park horse management community steering group made a fateful decision. Namadgi national park feral horse management plan 2007. As a result, some areas of the alpine national park, are in poor condition and are not showing. Dubbed the brumbies bill, the proposed laws require the minister for the environment to prepare a heritage management plan for the brumby, which will identify areas within the kosciuszko national park where populations will be maintained, and set rules around brumby management. This, along with information, views and opinions provided by stakeholders and members of the public, has assisted npws in formulating this draft plan. The bill will require all future plans of management for kosciuszko national park to consider the cultural significance of the horses. Go camping, explore caves, climb australias highest mountain, or stay in heritage accommodation.
Kosciuszko national park wild horse management nsw. Wild horse management kosciuszko national park flickr. After carefully considering the range of options for managing horses, the committee decided. Announcing an agreement between horse lovers and nationalpark. No management of brumbies in kosciuszko for 18 months.
Kosciuszko the destruction of a national heritage icon. In june 2018 the nsw parliament passed a law that protects feral horses in kosciuszko national park. With their help, we have set a number of objectives for horse removal. About 4,000 feral horses will be removed from kosciuszko national park in new south wales as part of an emergency response to protect the. Consultation and advice from the kosciuszko wild horse community and scientific advisory panels has been critical to planning the postfire control of wild horses. A cracking dawn lights up a stunning display of wildflowers in an area that may be kept feral horse free in kosciuszko national park if the new hire management.
However, we urge you to reduce horse numbers more rapidly, to lower numbers, and using aerial culling which is the most effective and most humane approach. The grim story of the snowy mountains cannibal horses. May 21, 2018 dubbed the brumbies bill, the proposed laws require the minister for the environment to prepare a heritage management plan for the brumby, which will identify areas within the kosciuszko national park where populations will be maintained, and set rules around brumby management. Labours sixpoint plan to save kosciuszko national park and manage the wild horse population. Review of the 2008 horse management plan and wild horse. The invasive species council cautiously welcomed the plan released today to drastically reduce feral horse numbers in kosciuszko national park. Feb 19, 2020 about 4,000 feral horses will be removed from kosciuszko national park in new south wales as part of an emergency response to protect the alpine ecosystem after large areas were devastated by. While this plan is an important breakthrough, the invasive species council is sceptical of the goal to reduce feral horse numbers to 600 in 20 years can be achieved while aerial culling remains. The wild horse legislation undermines kosciuszko national parks legal plan of management. The 2008 kosciuszko national park horse management plan remains the current plan for the management of horses in the park.
Kosciuszko national park exists to protect the unique. Download feral horse management australian alps national parks. Sep 12, 2016 on 1 of may 2016, the draft wild horse management plan for the kosciuszko national park knp 2016 the 2016 plan was released for public comment. Kosciuszko national park is managed by the southern ranges region of the npws which is part of the nsw office of environment and heritage oeh. The park is a unesco biosphere reserve and is an integral component of the australian alps national parks and reserves, which were. Jan 11, 2019 management of wild horses in kosciuszko national park appears to be in tatters with both environmentalists and brumby supporter groups saying they are deeply concerned there has been no removal of. Nsw government to scrap proposed cull kosciuszko national park brumbies. May 20, 2018 a 2016 draft wild horse management plan handed to the nsw government recommended reducing the number of horses in the park by 90 per cent over 20 years, primarily through culling.
The namadgi national park feral horse management plan 2007 was. Kosciuszko wild horse heritage act 2018 nsw legislation. Labours six point plan to save kosciuszko national park and. Wild horse management kosciuszko national park the npws carries out a passive trapping program within kosciuszko national park to reduce the number of wild horses in the park, currently estimated to number between 4,500 and 5,000 following the 2009 aerial survey by dr michele dawson. These horses are part of a much larger population within northern kosciuszko national. Kosciuszko national park spoils you with snow sports, walks and mountain biking in the snowy mountains. Thousands of feral horses to be removed from kosciuszko national. The section on cultural and social values of wild horses in kosciuszko national park pages 11 must explain why elimination of feral horses is necessary and appropriate for a national park due to the damage that feral horse cause to park values. Feral horses also known as wild horses or brumbies.
Geotechnical and water management amendments to kosciuszko national park plan of management. Draft wild horse management plan kosciuszko national park. In australias snowy mountains, a battle over brumbies. Feral horse management environment, planning and sustainable. Protecting the snowies wild horse management in kosciuszko. So far this year the npws has removed about 460 wild horses from the northern end of the park using trapping. Visitor facilities closed in act parks and reserves in response to covid19. Protect kosciuszko national park from feral horse degradation please support the npws kosciuszko national park draft wild horse management plan 2016 by writing a submission using the guide below. Kosciuszko national park draft wild horse management plan 22. Wildlife regulation in kosciuszko national park 2019 36 eplj 674 675 management, which encompasses an entanglement of harm and care, 6 has increasingly been called to account. Kosciuszko national park draft wild horse management plan.
The kosciuszko wild horse heritage bill 2018 will give the wild horses living in the kosciuszko national park cultural and heritage value. A 2016 draft wild horse management plan handed to the nsw government recommended reducing the number of horses in the park by 90 per cent over 20 years, primarily through culling. Labours six point plan to save kosciuszko national park. Kosciuszko national park draft wild horse management plan 22july2016. Protecting kosciuszkos wild horses from culling nsw government. After crossing the snowy river the track climbs gradually to rawson pass. Nsw brumby plan makes kosciuszko conservation impossible. Kosciuszko is one of the best known and best loved national parks in australia, attracting around three million visitors each year. Management of wild horses in kosciuszko national park appears to be in tatters with both environmentalists and brumby supporter groups saying they are. May 20, 2018 plan to cull 90 per cent of mount kosciuszko brumbies pulled after outrage erupted about destroying the iconic horses.
Kosciuszko national park alpine area horse management. Part 2 wild horse heritage management plan clause 5 requires the chief executive of the office of environment and heritage the chief executive to cause a draft wild horse heritage management plan to be prepared for kosciuszko national park. Wild horses and the unique value of the snowies office of. Kosciuszko national park australian alps national parks. Kosciuszko national park office of environment and heritage. Decc 2008, kosciuszko national park horse management plan, department of environment and climate change, tumut, nsw. The draft plan proposes to reduce wild horse numbers through humane and cost effective means. The removal of wild horses will occur under the 2008 kosciuszko national park horse management plan. The presence of these horses within the park is highly controversial due to a range of stakeholders having different perspectives based on different. We congratulate the nsw national parks and wildlife service, office of environment and heritage on the way the draft plan recognises the great damage cause by wildferal horses to kosciuszko national park knp, and are impressed that the plan seriously attempts to deal with the problem. Kosciuszko national park is located around 350km southwest of sydney and is the largest national park in nsw. Kosciuszko national park is the largest national park in nsw and one of the. Management of the wild horses in kosciuszko national park is clearly highly contentious and emotive, and the extensive engagement process has not resolved this issue.
Draft wild horse management plan each year, kosciuszko national park provides thousands of visitors with experiences that are not available anywhere else. In the future, kosciuszko will have two separate management plans for implementation. Kosciuszko national park brumbies cull banned to protect. Managing the feral horses in alpine areas has long been a deeply contentious issue.
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