A new Bill is set to be introduced by Independent MP Joe McGirr to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act, which currently protects the feral brumbies in NSW’s Snowy Mountains and mandates their population be kept at 3000. The Act, introduced in 2018, has faced strong opposition from conservationists and scientists who argue that the horses cause significant ecological damage by trampling wetlands and destroying native habitats. Recent aerial culling efforts have successfully reduced the brumby population from an estimated 13,000–22,000 in 2024 to as low as 1,500, surpassing the government’s target and allowing early signs of ecological recovery in the fragile alpine environment.
Conservation groups and invasive species experts welcome the Bill as a necessary step to protect native wildlife and restore the national park’s ecosystem, urging political leaders to unite in repealing the law that prioritizes feral horses over native species. However, the Australian Brumby Alliance and some animal rights advocates oppose lethal control methods, advocating for nonlethal solutions instead. Despite legal challenges, aerial culling continues, with the NSW Supreme Court dismissing attempts to halt it, highlighting the ongoing controversy surrounding the management of the brumby population.