National Parks and Wildlife Service pest management (aerial shooting)

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) pest management (aerial shooting) activities near Nowra.

The issue

In order to control feral animal populations, aerial shooting operations are often conducted by NPWS Park Air in a Squirrel B3 helicopter. The crew consists of a Pilot, Navigator, Shooter and an on-ground Officer-in-Charge maintaining Flight Following for search and rescue purposes.

The aerial shooting operations will be conducted within NPWS land tenure and specific adjoining private properties, near Nowra restricted air space, performing low flying operations that target pest animals only.

HMAS Albatross Nowra and other airspace users may potentially be impacted by the upcoming aerial shoot on NPWS parks and reserves from Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025.

Purpose

To seek feedback from other airspace users on planned aerial shooting operations for feral animal control by the New South Wales NPWS, South Coast Branch. 

The proposed aerial shooting operations will take place in NPWS parks and reserves near Nowra restricted airspace from Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025. 

The next round of aerial shooting will be undertaken within the Shoalhaven and Illawarra-Highlands section of NPWS South Coast Branch area of operations. In order to reduce the potential impact on other stakeholders, the aircraft will only operate during daylight hours and below 3500 feet. 

This operation is part of a long-term pest animal control program that has been taking place since 1984 using highly trained shooters that are part of the Feral Animal Aerial Shooting Team (FAAST) staff. 

Most of the operations will not fly within the Nowra HMAS Albatross restricted airspace as most of the pest animals being targeted are further to the west in Morton National Park and Bungonia State Conservation Area. However, please note that this operation includes one shoot area covering part of Budderoo National Park and Barren Grounds Nature Reserve just west of Kiama, that proposes to enter a small portion of R421B restricted airspace. NPWS will consult directly with HMAS Albatross about this 1 shoot operation. 

Generally, we will be aiming for peak pest animal activity. This will likely involve flying/shooting with early morning starts (from first light) through to late afternoon (until last light), with intermittent operations throughout the day.

Proposal

Aerial shooting operations are planned to be undertaken by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), near Nowra restricted airspace, from Monday 31 March to Friday 4 April 2025.

Please find the Maps below for the following operational zones: 

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