Hunting in NSW parks 'will cost lives'

Tourism will suffer if the government allows hunters access to national parks, the opposition says. Source: AAP

LIVES will be put at risk and tourism will suffer under a plan by the NSW government to allow amateur hunters access to national parks, the opposition says.

A leaked NSW Office of Environment and Heritage document obtained by the opposition identifies a high risk of a bullet or arrow causing death or serious injury under new laws that allow recreational hunters to shoot feral animals in some parks.

It also warns of reduced visitor numbers, environmental damage and the possibility of rotting carcasses being left to fester in water.

Labor environment spokesman Luke Foley slammed the government over the proposal, saying its first responsibility is to ensure the safety of citizens.

"This report (is) a chilling warning of the dangers in store if Mr O'Farrell proceeds with this mad capped scheme," Mr Foley told reporters on Sunday.

"There's a high risk of a projectile injury causing death or serious injury.

"Any responsible government would pull back and cancel, abandon the plan."

Mr Foley said community safety has been placed behind the needs of Premier Barry O'Farrell to pander to the Shooters Party, under a deal he struck to ensure passage of bills through the NSW upper house.

"What comes first and foremost is his unprincipled deal with the Shooters Party to control the state upper house," he said.

"The shooters are literally calling the shots."

Because the government won't supervise or set exclusion zones for shooters, they will be able to hunt near walking trails and roads, putting bushwalkers at serious risk, Mr Foley said.

Domestic and international tourists will be deterred from visiting national parks, he added.

"People just don't want to go there for the experience of bullets flying by them."

"Why is someone going to go bushwalking when the government won't even have the bushwalking trails off-limits?"

Environment Minister Robyn Parker on Saturday said hunters would be subject to strict conditions under a risk assessment process being developed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

She said safety "will always be paramount in managing the program".

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