Home / Environment / NSW Parliament Rescues Alpine Ecosystem, Repeals Brumby Protections
NSW Parliament Rescues Alpine Ecosystem, Repeals Brumby Protections
28 Nov, 2025
Summary
- NSW parliament repealed controversial brumby protections last Thursday.
- The Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Repeal Bill 2025 passed with broad support.
- The previous law mandated at least 3000 wild horses in Kosciuszko National Park.
Legislation to repeal protections for wild horses in NSW's Kosciuszko National Park has passed parliament. The Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Repeal Bill 2025, supported by Labor, Liberals, and the Greens, overturns a 2018 law that mandated a minimum of 3000 brumbies. This landmark decision aims to allow the fragile alpine ecosystem, which activists say has suffered severe damage, to recover.
Environmental advocates hailed the vote as a crucial win for nature, with Indigenous ambassador Richard Swain stating, "Country can breathe again." They highlighted the long-standing damage to wetlands, vegetation, and native wildlife caused by the horses. The Invasive Species Council called the original Brumby Bill a "political stunt" and emphasized that repealing it restores integrity to wildlife management in NSW.
A new management plan for wild horses will be developed, with a transition period extending to 2027. This plan will not include the previous legally mandated population target. The Environment Minister stated that controlling wild horses is essential for the ecosystem's recovery, and they will now be treated similarly to other invasive species.
