A controversial body that licensed amateur hunters will be formally disbanded after legislation passed NSW parliament.
State Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson introduced the legislation last month, which abolishes the controversial Game Council and transfers the responsibility of licensing to the Department of Primary Industries.
The bill passed the upper house on Wednesday night.
The O'Farrell government moved to scrap the council in July, after a scathing review by public servant Steve Dunn found it was poorly governed and had an "inherent conflict of interest".
Ms Hodgkinson said the bill to disband the council will restore confidence in hunting as a recreational activity.
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Game and feral animals cost the agricultural sector $70 million of losses each year across NSW and must be controlled, she said.
"We believe in the role of volunteer hunters in contributing to co-ordinated pest management programs," Ms Hodgkinson said in a statement.
Greens MP David Shoebridge said the bill's passage was an important blow to the developing gun and hunting culture in NSW.
"The government was pushed by the community of NSW, with the support of the Greens, into abolishing the pro-gun Game Council and tonight's vote finally achieved that," he said in a statement.
The Game and Feral Animal Control Amendment Bill 2013 now awaits royal assent.
