Five domestic horses inadvertently shot during an aerial cull on NSW-Queensland border

Parks and Wildlife Service staff inadvertently shot dead five domestic horses during an aerial cull on a property on the NSW-Queensland border, NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has admitted.

Thurloo Downs was purchased by the state government in 2023 and was in the process of being gazetted as a national park when NSPWS shot five horses during pest operations in late-September.

Asked about the aerial shooting during question time on Wednesday morning, Ms Sharpe confirmed the “unfortunate incident” and that staff were unaware the horses were in the “designated shoot plan” area.

“Unfortunately, some horses were left in the area and five domestic horses were unintentionally shot and killed during a broad scale feral animal control program,” she said.

“National Parks has apologised for this very unfortunate accident (and) is conducting further review into the matter so that we ensure that this does not happen again.”

Ms Sharpe said the property had not yet been transferred to the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service, and that there had been an “ongoing handover process to deal with legacy issues”, including pest management.

She said notifications of the cull were provided to the previous owner and neighbours two weeks advance of the aerial operation, but that horses belonging to a neighbour had joined a mob of wild horses.

She said there had been “some issues” in separating the domestic horses from the wild horses and in terms of notification.

The Environment Minister took on notice how many horses were shot.

Nationals MLC Scott Barrett, who questioned Ms Sharpe over the incident, said the shooting was a “tragic incident that never should have happened”.

“I want to see a full investigation because we need to know how this happened and we need to make sure it never happens again,” Mr Barrett said.

“I also want to see full compensation for the owner of the horses, though nothing could truly makeup for what they’ve been through.”

Mr Barrett acknowledged aerial culling was “essential” to managing feral animals, and is extensively used across the state, including in controlling brumby populations. “Any issues need to be immediately addressed, so the community can have confidence in this vital program,” he said.

“How do we trust National Parks to manage land if they can’t tell difference between a feral pig and a camp draft horse.

“This raises serious concerns about the competency of the National Parks and Wildlife Service to manage the millions of acres already under their control in western NSW.”

Thurloo Downs is a 500,000Ha property in far north NSW.

It was purchased by the then-Coalition government in 2023 for $108m, making it the largest private land acquisition for a national park in NSW history.

Replete with wetlands, sand dunes and woodlands, it is expected to open to the public in 2026.