Month: August 2023

The NSW Government is seeking feedback on a proposed amendment to the Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan. The proposed amendment would allow aerial shooting as an additional option for the control of wild horses alongside the existing methods such as trapping and rehoming, and ground shooting.

Kosciuszko National Park’s ecosystems are under threat. There is widespread recognition of the urgent need to reduce numbers of wild horses to protect more than 30 native threatened species.

These include the critically endangered southern and northern corroboree frogs, the endangered mountain pygmy possum, the endangered Guthega skink and she-oak skink, the vulnerable broad-toothed rat, the critically endangered Kelton’s leek orchid and blue-tongued greenhood, and the critically endangered fish stocky galaxias. Wild horses also erode and compact soil and reduce water quality in streams and wetlands.

Under the current plan, the NSW Government is legally required to reduce the wild horse population to 3000 in 32% of the park by 30 June 2027. However, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will not be able to meet that target using only the existing control methods.

The most recent count of wild horses in the park using global best practice and peer-reviewed methodology estimated there are between 14,501 and 23,535 horses across the park.

The ability to conduct aerial shooting as a control method, consistent with the highest animal welfare standards, could be an important addition to current techniques to reduce the wild horse population.

The community is encouraged to provide input on the proposed amendment until 11 September 2023. A final decision will not be made until all feedback has been considered.

Find out more about Managing wild horses in Kosciuszko National Parklaunch.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe:

“Kosciuszko National Park is the largest national park in NSW. It has Australia’s tallest mountains, rugged landscape and plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. It’s one of the jewels of our national parks’ crown but it is in grave danger. Precious ecosystems and endangered native species and their habitats are at risk of extinction due to introduced animals, including wild horses.

“Recent reports show that without action, wild horses could tip threatened species to extinction. There are simply too many wild horses for the park to cope.

“NSW is not on track to meet the wild horse population target under the legislated Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan, which is why we must consider the introduction of aerial shooting, carried out by skilled, highly trained shooters to the highest animal-welfare standards.

“We have an obligation to save these native animals, but we only have a limited window of opportunity to do so. If they become extinct, they are lost forever.

“From members of the public to commercial park users, scientists to community leaders and business owners, the government wants to hear your feedback on this proposed change.”

Background information

Threatened species in the Kosciusko National Park:

At least 32 NSW-listed and Commonwealth-listed threatened species and 4 ecological communities are at risk from wild horses. They’re considered vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.

Ecological community

• Alpine Sphagnum Bogs and Associated Fens
• White Box – Yellow Box – Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland
• Snowpatch Feldmark in the Australian Alps bioregion
• Montane Peatlands and Swamps of the New England Tableland, NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin, South East Corner, South Eastern Highlands and Australian Alps Bioregions

Animals

• Stocky galaxias
• Northern Corroboree frog
• Southern Corroboree frog
• Alpine Tree frog
• Guthega skink
• She-oak skink
• Mountain Pygmy possum
• Broad-toothed rat

Plants

• Caladenia montana
• Mauve Burr-daisy Calotis glandulosa
• Max Mueller’s Burr-daisy Calotis pubescens
• Archer’s Carex Carex archeri
• Raleigh Sedge Carex raleighii
• Leafy Anchor Plant Discaria nitida
• Pale Golden Moths Diuris ochroma
• Clover Glycine Glycine latrobeana
• Pale Pomaderris Pomaderris pallida
• Rice Flower Pimelea bracteate
• Prasophyllum bagoense
• Prasophyllum innubum 
• Kelton’s Leek Orchid Prasophyllum keltonii
• Kiandra Leek Orchid Prasophyllum retroflexum
• Alpine Greenhood Pterostylis alpina 
• Slender Greenhood Pterostylis foliata 
• Blue-tongued Greenhood Pterostylis oreophila
• Anemone Buttercup Ranunculus anemoneus
• Monaro Golden Daisy Rutidosis leiolepis
• Feldmark Grass Rytidosperma pumilum
• Perisher Wallaby-grass Rytidosperma vickeryae
• Alpine Sun-orchid Thelymitra alpicola
• Black-hooded Sun Orchid Thelymitra atronitida
• Swamp Everlasting, Swamp Paper Daisy Xerochrysum palustre

Counting wild horses

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service undertakes annual horse population surveys in Kosciuszko National Park, using the international best practice method for accurately estimating the population of large mammals over wide geographic areas. These surveys are published online. The next survey is due to occur in October 2023.

The population of wild horses in the park at the time of the most recent survey (November 2022) was assessed to be 18,814, with a 95% confidence interval of 14,501 to 23,535.

On current trends, using the control methods approved under the current plan, it is estimated that the population of horses on 30 June 2027 will still be more than 12,000.

Current wild horse control methods include:

• mustering and passive trapping and rehoming
• passive trapping sees horses enter traps of their own accord
• in 2022 around 430 horses were re-homed from the park
• mustering and passive trapping and transporting to a knackery or abattoir
• ground shooting, including in trap yards.

Protecting the heritage value of wild horses

The Kosciuszko National Park Wild Horse Heritage Management Plan identifies the heritage value of sustainable wild horse populations in identified parts of the park.

The plan requires 3000 wild horses to be retained in 32% of the park to protect this heritage value. The proposed amendment to the plan does not change this requirement.

Feedback on the draft amendment

Stakeholders including members of the public can provide a written submission via an online survey, online submission form, email or post. The ‘Have your say’ submission form will open Tuesday 8 August. Public exhibition closes 11 September 2023.

A proposed plan, representations from the public and a summary of these, any representations from the Secretary of the Department of Planning and Environment, National Parks and Wildlife Advisory Council and Heritage Council of NSW, and any advice from the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Community Advisory Panel, will be provided to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage.

The Minister will consider the draft amending plan and whether to adopt it under the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act 2018.

Adults living with cystic fibrosis can now access state-of-the-art care in Australia’s first dedicated Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Service ward at Westmead Hospital, in western Sydney.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park was joined by Member for Parramatta Donna Davis to mark the official opening of the $65 million facility, which was fully funded by the Commonwealth Government.

Federal Minister for Health Mark Butler said the purpose-built ward in the Westmead Health Precinct will provide essential support and treatment for people living with this common genetic disorder, which impacts approximately 3,600 Australians.

“This dedicated facility will provide highly specialised care and treatment for adults living with cystic fibrosis,” Mr Butler said. 

“There is no cure for cystic fibrosis but treatment has come a long way, and with an improvement in treatment comes an increase in the life expectancy of people living with the condition.

“On average, a person with cystic fibrosis needs to be admitted to hospital once a year which requires a high level of multidisciplinary care from doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and dietitians.

“This service will make a big difference to patients and their families.”

Mr Park said the new facility will provide more pathways for patients with cystic fibrosis to receive specialised treatment for this complex condition.

“This facility will go a long way in improving treatment outcomes for those in our community with cystic fibrosis,” Mr Park said.

“The 16-bed inpatient unit has four airborne infection isolation rooms and a specialised outpatient unit which will make a world of difference to patients and their families, with expert staff focused on cystic fibrosis able to deliver more personalised care.

“This will also provide us with opportunities to enhance our research capabilities to better understand and treat the disease in future for those living with the condition.”

The contemporary outpatient unit features 10 consultation rooms, four single rooms for day-stay patients, a procedural room and a dedicated research area for clinical trials and diagnostic services.

Western Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Graeme Loy said the Cystic Fibrosis Specialist Service is another great example of health innovation within the Westmead Health Precinct.

“People with cystic fibrosis are now living longer than ever before thanks to massive improvements in treatment and care,” Mr Loy said.

“This new facility offers an exciting opportunity to carry out new research and clinical trials and offer patients world-leading treatments for this disease.”

A commemorative plaque in honour of 27-year-old Sydney doctor, Malay Rana, who died in 2015 following complications from cystic fibrosis, was also unveiled at the facility.

“There are still many like Dr Malay Rana, who lost his life at just 27 years old, who need specialised services and continued research to provide quality and quantity of life,” Mr Loy said.

“Dr Malay was a strong advocate for people living with cystic fibrosis and was dedicated to raising community awareness and campaigning for improved speciality services within NSW and now here we are today, opening this facility in his honour.”

Dr Malay’s family were involved throughout the planning and design stages of the project and valuable insights were provided, creating person-centred inpatient and outpatient services tailored to the needs of cystic fibrosis consumers.

Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said the ward will enhance the already extensive suite of healthcare services that are available at Westmead.

“I’m really excited about the opportunity this specialist service brings to those living with cystic fibrosis across the region,” Ms Davis said. 

“This purpose-built ward will build further on what the incredible Westmead Health Precinct already offers as a major centre for education, research, innovation and jobs.”

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition affecting the lungs and digestive systems because of a break down in the exocrine system that is responsible for producing saliva, sweat, tears and mucus.

The Westmead Health Precinct is one of the largest health, education, research and innovation precincts in Australia and is a key provider of jobs for the greater Parramatta and western Sydney region.

More than $3 billion has been committed by government and our precinct partners to upgrade and expand the Precinct’s health services, education, research and innovation facilities over the coming years.

A new women’s refuge is being delivered in the Western Sydney LGA to support women fleeing domestic and family violence.

On completion, this site will increase the number of available women’s crisis accommodation sites in the Western Sydney region to nine, with a total of 13 Specialist Homelessness Services providing supports to women and children in the area.

Supported through $5.8 million in capital funding grants, the site will comprise 12 units and is expected to come online around November. It is being developed by community housing provider – Evolve Housing with support service provisions delivered through Women’s Community Shelters in partnership with Parramatta Women’s Shelter.

The new refuges are being built under the Government’s $426.6 million Core and Cluster Program which will support for more than 2,900 women and their children each year.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness Rose Jackson said the NSW Government has invested more than $32.5 million to bolster support for Specialist Homelessness Services in Western Sydney.

“This funding will help deliver crucial homes for vulnerable women and children with $21.4 million dedicated specifically to Western Sydney homelessness services across the LGAs of Cumberland, Parramatta, Blacktown and the Hills Shire,” Minister Jackson said.

“Securing safe housing remains a critical hurdle to overcoming domestic violence and is a key contributor to women’s homeless in NSW.

“Delivering the refuges under the Core and Cluster model ensures victim-survivors have access to all the support services they need to get help, stay safe and plan for the future.”

Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said the NSW Government was proud to partner with community housing providers and frontline service providers across the state to deliver much needed crisis accommodation and support to vulnerable women and children at risk.

“The unique nature of the Core and Cluster model is that it enables a woman to leave a violent relationship or home with not only her children but any family pets as well,” Minister Harrison said.

“Many women stay in violent homes because they are afraid of what will happen to their animals if they leave. This model alleviates some of that fear and empowers women in crisis to leave and seek support.”

Evolve Housing CEO Lyall Gorman said the new site was well placed to meet the needs of women and children in crisis.

“These safe homes offer a way out to women who find themselves trapped in abusive relationships, providing them with a secure environment that not only ensures physical safety but also offers emotional support, counselling, and additional resources to assist women and their children to reshape their futures,” Mr Gorman said.

“By offering protection and a pathway to independence, these safe homes empower women to break the cycle of violence and reclaim their autonomy.”

“Once complete, the ground floor of the site will host communal areas for women to come together, as well as a private office space with ensuite and two private rooms for support delivery.”

“The facility also provides a secure and private outdoor recreation area, secure basement parking for staff and tenants, close proximity to public transport, local amenities and mainstream support services.

“The building will be retrofitted with security features such as electronic controlled entry, CCTV, and external lighting to optimise safety for occupants.

“A mix of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom self-contained lockable dwellings ensure we can meet the varying accommodation needs of women with or without children and all dwellings will have individual entrances and be fully self-contained with either a private courtyard or balcony in addition to communal and external areas for pets.”

Women’s Community Shelters CEO Annabelle Daniel OAM said specialist domestic and family violence services were a lifeline for women and children leaving abuse.

“Women’s Community Shelters is proud to be collaborating with Paramatta Women’s Shelter, with their committed volunteer Board, deep local knowledge and strong connections in the area, and our wonderful long-standing partner, Evolve Housing.

“Together, we will deliver exceptional support. We are committed to pursuing innovative opportunities to continuously evolve our service delivery model which is informed by the lived expertise of our clients,” Ms Daniel said.

“This partnership represents true collaboration between the NSW Government, the domestic violence and housing sectors, amazing local communities and philanthropy.”