A debate on the impacts of feral horses on Kosciuszko National Park will occur in NSW parliament on August 22, after more than 12,000 people signed a petition to demand the repeal of the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act 2018.
The Act allows for herds of “heritage” feral horses to be protected within Kosciuszko National Park, at the expense of native flora and fauna.
The government’s own agencies have recognised that feral horses are destroying the habitats of 34 threatened native species in and around Kosciuszko, pushing them towards extinction. But the Coalition government is doing nothing to stop this.
Current estimates say the park is home to between 7000-9500 feral horses. There have been no horses removed from the park since August 2017 and numbers are set to rise again with the spring foaling.
There are now so many horses they present a threat not just to wildlife but to campers and drivers.
The government’s own Office of Environment and Heritage developed a plan in 2016 to manage feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park on the basis of best available scientific knowledge and wide public consultation.
The plan, however, was thrown out when this Act, which blatantly favours a small minority, was introduced. This minority, supporters of Deputy Premier and Nationals leader John Barilaro, want feral horses kept in Kosciuszko National Park.
A bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act 2018 has been introduced into parliament.
[Supporters of Kosciuszko National Park will assemble at Hyde Park on August 22 from 3.15pm, shortly before debate is due to start. For more information or to sign the petition visit reclaimkosci.org.au.]