Game Council disbanded after scathing governance review
By state political reporter Liz Foschia

Updated Fri Jul 5, 2013 9:28am AEST

Hunting on NSW public land will be banned for at least the next two months and the Game Council will be disbanded after a review into the council.

But the State Government will go ahead with its plan to allow volunteer hunters in national parts as part of a pest control program.

A highly critical report into the governance of the Game Council found its position as regulator, promoter and operator of hunting activities in NSW was inherently conflicted, says Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson.

The review was ordered after the council's acting chief executive, Greg McFarland, and a volunteer were charged with illegal hunting and trespass.

The council's functions will be transferred to the Department of Primary Industries and hunting in 400 state forests and two crown lands will cease until a new advisory board can be established.

The changes will help manage the "costly and environmentally destructive" issue of pest animals, Ms Hodgkinson said.

"The overall direct economic impact of the pest animals has been conservatively estimated at $740 million annually," Ms Hodgkinson said.

"Pest animals threaten 40 per cent of fragile biodiversity in NSW. There are 388 threatened species at risk, including 154 plants, 186 animals, 17 endangered populations and 31 endangered ecological communities.

"It is impossible to place a value on this cost to the environment."

A trial of the controversial plan to allow volunteer hunters will begin in 12 parks in October.

NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker says the trial will be regulated and managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and there will be strict controls and supervision.

"Only those volunteers who have the equivalent qualifications, experience and training as national parks staff will be able to participate," Ms Parker said.

She says the parks will be closed at the time, there will be no shooting in school holidays and no participation allowed by anyone aged under 18.

NSW Opposition environment spokesman Luke Foley says Labor's objections to the plan remain the same despite the changes.

"The problem here, Labor has always maintained, is not the existence of a Game Council but throwing open our precious national park estate to amateur hunters," he said.

"Our world class national parks exist to protect our native plants and animals."

Shooters MP Robert Brown says he has not had time fully to consider the announcement.

Mr Brown is personally disappointed at the move to disband the council; he says he dreamed it up and helped write the legislation that established the body in 2002.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-04/ga...o-ahead/4800098