Latest news with #NSW
News.com.au
an hour 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
an hour ago
- News.com.au
NSW Police call for public help to locate missing South Coast hiker Christopher Moore
A hiker who was dropped off for a camping trip three days ago has gone missing on the NSW South Coast. Christopher Moore, 38, was last seen on Twelve Mile Rd in Jerrawangala, about 32km south of Nowra at 10.30am on Wednesday but failed to return when he was supposed to be picked up on Friday. Police have launched a huge search operation involving rescue crews, SES and Rural Fire Service volunteers in the area he went missing. The search kicked off at 8am on Saturday. 'He was last seen wearing khaki and black pants and a khaki-coloured hooded jumper,' a police spokesman said. 'Christopher is believed to be in the Jerrawangala or Wandandian areas. 'Police and family hold concerns for his welfare.' Mr Moore is of caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, has a thin build, short light brown hair, a beard and moustache.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Desperate search for missing hiker
A hiker who was dropped off for a camping trip three days ago has gone missing on the NSW South Coast. Christopher Moore, 38, was last seen on Twelve Mile Rd in Jerrawangala, about 32km south of Nowra at 10.30am on Wednesday but failed to return when he was supposed to be picked up on Friday. Police have launched a huge search operation involving rescue crews, SES and Rural Fire Service volunteers in the area he went missing. The search kicked off at 8am on Saturday. 'He was last seen wearing khaki and black pants and a khaki-coloured hooded jumper,' a police spokesman said. 'Christopher is believed to be in the Jerrawangala or Wandandian areas. 'Police and family hold concerns for his welfare.' Mr Moore is of caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, has a thin build, short light brown hair, a beard and moustache. Anyone with information is urged to contact Nowra Police or Crime Stoppers.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Urgent search launched for missing hiker after he failed to arrive at a meeting spot near Nowra, NSW
An urgent search has been launched for a missing hiker after he failed to arrive at a meeting spot after he was dropped off for a camping trip. Christopher Moore, 38, was last seen on Twelve Mile Road at Jerrawangala, roughly 32km south of Nowra, about 10.30am on Wednesday. He had been dropped off for a camping trip and was due to be collected at the same place on Friday, NSW Police said. But Mr Moore never arrived at the meeting spot. South Coast police were notified and launched an investigation. Christopher is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 180cm tall, of thin build with short light brown hair, a beard and a moustache. He was last seen wearing khaki and black pants and a khaki hooded jumper. Mr Moore is believed to be in the Jerrawangala or Wandandian areas with officers and his family concerned for his welfare. A coordinated search was launched at 8am on Saturday involving South Coast Police, Police Rescue, and members of the SES and Rural Fire Service. Anyone with information has been urged to contact Nowra Police or Crime Stoppers.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Tensions flare as NSW premier's staffers grilled at hoax terror plot inquiry
Five New South Wales political staffers began giving evidence at the parliamentary inquiry on Friday morning.
