Brumby cull on hold after advocate launches last minute court action

An urgent court injunction has temporarily halted the planned culling of brumbies and other feral animals in Yuraygir National Park, located north of Coffs Harbour in New South Wales. The five-day operation, which was set to begin on Monday, included aerial culling and trapping of horses, pigs, foxes, and deer.

The injunction was filed by anti-brumby culling advocate Carmen Jackson in the Land and Environment Court early Monday morning. Jackson's primary argument is that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) does not possess the statutory authority to carry out these culls within the park. The court granted an urgent hearing, which was adjourned to later that morning.

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The undertaking has been given in good faith by the department, again at short notice and I do think the matter needs to be dealt with quickly for your sake, the animals in question and the department.

Justice Rachel Pepper has adjourned the matter, setting final hearings for September 9. She acknowledged the urgency of the situation, noting the need for a swift resolution for the sake of the animals, the department, and the advocate. The department, represented by its principal legal officer Nicholas Sandstrom, has given an undertaking to suspend all trapping and culling operations until the court date.

In response, an NPWS spokesperson confirmed they acknowledge the court proceedings and will comply with any directions. They emphasized that animal welfare is a high priority and all operations are conducted under strict procedures. However, due to the ongoing legal matter, further comment was deemed inappropriate. The suspension has reignited the debate over the management of brumbies, which Jackson considers part of Australia's heritage and sentient beings deserving of a right to exist on the land.

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Our brumbies are our Australian heritage; they're also sentient beings on Country. I believe all animals have the right to be on Country. How do we signify that a brumby is less significant than a native animal on Country, considering they've been here 200 years.