MP shoots down hunting proposal
LIBERAL MLC Catherine Cusack has called on the State Government to remove North Coast national parks from a list which allows amateur shooters to hunt for feral animals in previously protected reserves.
Under new changes to the Game and Feral Animal Control Act passed in parliament this week licensed shooters will be allowed into 79 of the states 799 national parks including the Richmond Range National Park, west of Kyogle, Nightcap National Park, east of Nimbin, and Yabbra National Park, west of Bonalbo.
Ms Cusack, who has previously spoken against opening the parks to shooters, said on Friday she was obligated to vote with the government in a hung Legislative Council.
She said while she would not cross the floor on the issue she believed the new strategy could still work without the inclusion of the Nightcap, Richmond Ranges and Dorrigo near Coffs Harbour.
In the past six months Ms Cusack has travelled to several parks on the list and describes the increase in feral animal population as "horrifying".
"It is an emergency - we need a state-wide integrated strategy to combat this threat.
"It needs to be professionally managed across public and private land and everyone including the Game Council has a role to play."
Amendments to the act will be debated in parliament in the coming months.
