“The department recognises there is an urgent need to improve implementation of existing legislation, guidance and management plans, at the national, state and territory levels to significantly reduce the impact of feral horses in the Australian Alps, including reducing the overall population.”

Loading

Management of the park remains the responsibility of the state government, but in its submission the Threatened Species Scientific Committee called on Ms Plibersek to step in and coordinate with states.

“Given the urgency of the problem and the lack under the current EPBC Act of a formal planning process able to respond in a timely manner, the Committee suggests that the Australian Government Minister for the Environment and Water should lead a cross-jurisdictional approach with the relevant state and territory environment ministers to develop coordinated management of horses across the Alps, with the aim of preventing further impacts on threatened species and ecological communities.”

Ms Plibersek said though she liked horses they did not belong in the park, and that she supported humane culling. However, she said management of pests in national parks remained a state responsibility.

“The day-to-day responsibility for protection of National Heritage places, and the management of invasive species rests with state and territory governments, but I am providing financial support to the states and territories to reduce the populations of feral horses in the Alps,” she said.

NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said she had sought advice over the “adequacy of the resources, operational procedures and support” needed to ensure the NSW government’s plan to reduce horse numbers to 3000 could be delivered.

The Invasive Species Council’s Jack Gough called on the federal government to take action.

“The lack of action on tackling this major threat seriously jeopardises the Australian government’s commitment to zero extinctions,” he said.

“It is now incumbent upon Minister Plibersek to take action to save our native alpine wildlife and stop their habitat being trashed and trampled by feral horses.”

Loading

He said aerial culling of horses, which has proved politically unpalatable in the past, should be adopted as the most efficient and human way to remove the pests.

“The public mood has shifted on this issue in recent years, Australians have become better-informed about the damage feral horses are doing.”

Get to the heart of what’s happening with climate change and the environment. Our fortnightly Environment newsletter brings you the news, the issues and the solutions. Sign up here.