Domestic Cattle Trashing Blue Mountains National Park

Wednesday, 01 March 2000 10:00

Total Environment Centre natural areas campaigner Frances Kelly said the privately owned and tame cattle herd was well-entrenched in the national park and wilderness around Breakfast Creek and Carlon Creek which run into the Cox's river in the Blue Mountains.
"This particular herd, including a bull and calves, have been given free rein of this public land, effectively turning it into a weed-infested wasteland." said Ms Kelly

"Their dung is everywhere, including in the streams running into the Cox's River. They are eating the understorey and regrowth, and easing the spread of noxious weeds deep into the national park. Where the cattle are roaming blackberry and other weeds have taken over, and native vegetation is disappearing."

"This is one herd. How many other domestic cattle herds are being released into this and other national parks to subsequently trash them." said Ms Kelly.

"And this is occurring at a time when weed and feral animal control is taking effect in other Blue Mountains park areas thanks to the effort of local NPWS staff, bushcare volunteers and council staff" said Ms Kelly.

"Ms Kelly called on the NPWS Director General to investigate how the incursion occurred and stop this and possible other illegal exploitation of public national park land by farmers and park neighbours.