A True Australian Icon Needs Your Help!

 Urgent help needed

Please read the media release below, Download the submission letter, add your signature then send it to SMBUG today, The deadline is 14 DECEMBER. Read more, and discuss this issue in the forum.

SNOWY  MOUNTAINS  BUSH  USERS  GROUP  INC.

(“SMBUG”)

Protecting our Mountain Heritage

25 November 2007

MEDIA RELEASE

“SNOWY BRUMBIES UNDER THREAT”

Last week National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) placed their Horse Management Plan Draft (HMP) for Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) on public exhibition.

Our review confirms that this plan is extremely biased in its presentation and we highlight that it fails to mention-

·         The cultural heritage value of the Snowy Brumby

·         The Brumbies legendary and iconic status in the eyes of the Australian public

·         That these Brumbies are the descendants of a large contingent of horses that were shipped overseas and faithfully served our troops in the Sudan Campaign, Boer War, Great War and second World War and were never allowed to return

·         The Brumbies tourism value and subsequent contribution to the economy

·         The positive benefits of the Brumby grazing native grasses, the resultant fuel load reduction and sweeter grass for all wildlife

Other critical deficiencies exposed in the plan are-

1.      Failure to provide analysis of and weighting to the major threats to the environment within the park. We contend that any alleged horse impact would not be of a serious or irreversible detrimental nature. At worst any impact would be temporary and short term and would pale into insignificance when compared to the long term impacts of bushfires, predator feral animals, weeds, roads, dams, powerlines, ski resort development and natural occurrences such as snow, ice, rain, flood, wind, earthquakes/ tremors etc.

2.      Failure to provide the actual number of Brumbies to be culled

3.      Lack of any analysis as to what would be the conservative maximum number of Brumbies the park could sustain

4.      Likewise the minimum number required to remain genetically viable and to cover contingencies such as the 2003 bushfires which destroyed 50% of the Brumby population in the southern end of the park

5.      Failure to provide a cost/benefit analysis or details as to whether or not the money could be more effectively spent elsewhere to protect the park

6.      A number of the photographs provided in the plan to suggest Brumby impact are highly suspect and we are seeking more information from NPWS

7.      Fails to provide a mechanism to facilitate full and proper public debate

For NPWS to suggest that our brumby be treated in the same manner as any other vertebrate pest program (eg wild dogs, pigs, foxes, cats etc) is beyond comprehension. It certainly shows the mind set within NPWS and their lack of “feeling” for the protection of our heritage.

NPWS fails to understand that our heritage belongs to all Australians and that the people have not given them a mandate to destroy it.

On this issue we appeal to NPWS to stop, step back and listen to the people.

SMBUG does not support or endorse this Plan as presented.

To register your NO vote or for more information please contact-

Clive Edwards, President

Ph 6384 3376,

Mob 0428 274 702

email- ctemedwards@bigpond.com

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