Kosciuszko – National Parks Association of NSW

Kosciuszko – the destruction of a national heritage icon?

Posted by NPA NSWon August 31, 2018August 30, 2018in Campaigns and Conservation, Nature NSW, Park Protection, Spring 2018Leave a comment

^{Dr Graeme Worboys, (Honorary) Associate Professor of the Fenner School for Environment and Society, Australian National University}

NSW Deputy Premier and State National Party Leader John Barilaro’s 2018 Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Legislation is the single greatest political and ideological undermining of the conservation and protection status of Kosciuszko National Park in its 75 year history. It has elevated a pest animal to be more important than Australian native animals and has established a legislative precedent that threatens the concept of all Australian protected areas and National Heritage listed properties.

Feral horses to receive greater protections than native fauna in Kosciuszko National Park

Posted by NPA NSWon May 21, 2018May 21, 2018in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

The National Parks Association of NSW expressed dismay at yesterday’s announcement that the NSW Government will introduce legislation that will allow feral horses to remain in Kosciuszko National Park.

Koscuiszko National Park tourism plans risk further damage to fragile ecosystems

Posted by NPA NSWon April 20, 2018April 20, 2018in Media Releases, Park ProtectionLeave a comment

The NSW Government this week announced $27 million to upgrade and expand walking and cycling trails in Koscuiszko National Park (KNP), designed to boost tourism. The proposals however add to an increasing number of pressures on alpine ecosystems—sensitive and highly localised in Australia—says the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA).

Natural values of Kosciuszko National Park must not be overlooked in Snowy 2.0

Posted by NPA NSWon March 20, 2017March 21, 2017in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

The National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) has cautiously welcomed the federal government finally appearing to embrace renewable energy in the context of Snowy 2.0. But politicians still haven’t outlined how the scheme would avoid damaging the natural values of the unique alpine ecosystems and judgement must therefore be reserved.

NPA CEO, Mr Kevin Evans said: “The vulnerability of the alpine ecosystems to climate change encapsulates perfectly why we urgently need to transition to renewables.

A Plan To Protect Kosciuszko’s Water Catchments

Posted by NPA NSWon December 2, 2016February 28, 2017in Featured Post, Nature NSW, Summer 2016Leave a comment

^{Graeme L. Worboys, Adjunct Fellow, Fenner School of Society and Environment, Australian National University}

Large numbers of the Wild Horse, a farm-animal escapee, are severely impacting the water catchment wetlands of the Australian Alps, including right across Kosciuszko National Park. In 2014, 35% of the Alps wetlands had been damaged. These high mountain wetlands are the very heart of the headwater catchment sources for our mightiest rivers, the Murray, Murrumbidgee and the Snowy and regrettably they are also a preferred grazing area for these heavy stock animals. Numbers of Wild Horses have grown from about 2,000 to more than 6,000 in just 11 years and they are causing great damage to the catchments. The NSW Government, in response to these threats has launched, in May 2016, a draft Wild Horse Management Plan for consultation … a plan, amongst other things, to protect the water catchments.

A plan to protect Kosciuszko’s water catchments

Posted by NPA NSWon August 5, 2016March 2, 2017in Media ReleasesLeave a comment

Large numbers of the Wild Horse, a farm-animal escapee, are severely impacting the water catchment wetlands of the Australian Alps, including right across Kosciuszko National Park. In 2014, 35% of the Alps wetlands had been damaged. These high mountain wetlands are the very heart of the headwater catchment sources for our mightiest rivers, the Murray, Murrumbidgee and the Snowy and regrettably they are also a preferred grazing area for these heavy stock animals. Numbers of Wild Horses have grown from about 2000 to more than 6000 in just 11 years and they are causing great damage to the catchments. The NSW Government, in response to these threats has launched, in May 2016, a draft Wild Horse Management Plan for consultation … a plan, amongst other things, to protect the water catchments.