Brumby culling on state land

ENVIRONMENT Minister Steven Miles has ordered a cull of wild horses on State lands near Bluewater after two people were killed in separate road accidents caused by brumbies on the Bruce Highway.

The Main Roads Department is also considering reduced speed limits on sections of the highway.

Meeting government agency representatives in Townsville yesterday, Dr Miles said public safety must be the priority.

“I have asked the department to implement a brumby removal program,” Dr Miles said. I am an animal lover ... but the first priority has to be public safety. The technique will be for the rangers to decide but it’s most likely we will see a cull.”

Townsville City Council convened a special meeting yesterday to declare the brumbies a local pest and require landholders to remove animals, most likely by shooting and burial.

Mayor Jenny Hill said the management of pests remained at the dis- cretion of landholders and appealed for co- operation.

“Urgent action needs to be taken by landholders and anyone responsible for property,” Cr Hill said.

Councillor for northern areas of the city Sue Blom said the events of past few weeks were tragic.

“We need to keep the pressure on everybody,” Cr Blom said. “Yes, it is the landholders’ responsibility but it is also all our responsibility to ensure landholders do the right thing.”

Cr Blom said the State Government had backed away from culling the brumbies in 2009 after some people wanted the horses “saved”.

She was concerned history could be repeated with the launch of a petition against the cull. “Two people have lost their lives ... we don’t want to see any more people hurt,” she said.

Cr Gary Eddiehausen said, “The lives of the community whether they be residents, tourists or anyone else on the roadways is paramount.”

The council has budgeted $ 50,000 towards a cull while Dr Miles said the department had allocated $ 30,000.