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Western region update
September 2014
Since the last newsletter the Board has held meetings in Broken Hill and Cobar and these have resulted in significant activity. These meetings have principally focussed on setting the strategic direction of the organisation. Major decisions have included:
- Development of a draft regional strategic plan and key focus areas
- The establishment of Board sub-committees, including a Pest Control Committee to oversee all pest-related projects in the region and Broken Hill Stockyard Committee
- Development of the F14/15 year budget
- Endorsement of the upcoming round of Incentives Funding
- An audit and review of all Travelling Stock Reserves and Stock Watering Points
- Nominations to the Wild Dog Destruction Board
- Commitment to the continuation of the Russel Harland Memorial Scholarship Program, which has been broadened to reflect the wider scope of the Local Land Services functions. In the past this has seen a number of young staff attracted to working in the Western region, as photographed below.
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Sheep health statements
Sheep producers will be familiar with the voluntary use of Sheep Health Statements (SHS) to provide a prospective buyer with the relevant health information concerning a mob of sheep. The information may include OJD, footrot, ovine brucellosis, lice and treatments the sheep may have received such as vaccinations, fly or lice treatments and drenches.
 The aim of the SHS is to help producers promote the health assurance of their sheep at the time of sale. It also gives buyers the chance to make an accurate judgement - reducing the health risks to their flock and the district as a whole.
SHS for sheep movements within NSW have been voluntary since July 2013. However, you need both an SHS and a National Vendor Declaration (NVD) if you are bringing in sheep from another Regional Biosecurity Plan (RBP) area. This documentation should be lodged with your nearest Local Land Services office within seven days of moving the animals.
Local RBP areas were developed throughout NSW in response to producers’ preferences to retain their Exclusion Area Status.
You can download sheep health statements and read frequently asked questions. You can also view the map of RBP areas.
For more information, talk to your Local Land Services biosecurity staff or call DPI Veterinary Officer Charlotte Cavanagh on 02 6830 0003.
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September is monitoring month
 It’s time to take out the camera and submit monitoring for your incentive funded projects.
Reminder letters and photo point templates have been sent to all project holders.
Monitoring is due by 30 September and can be:
· Posted in the reply paid envelope you received with your reminder letter
· Emailed to monitoringmonth@lls.nsw.gov.au
· Delivered inperson to your nearest Western Local Land Services office.
For help with your monitoring requirements call Marybeth Baker on 02 6836 1575 or visit your local office.
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Free grazing management training courses
We will be holding two-day grazing management training courses for land holders and property managers at Dareton and Broken Hill this month.
The free workshops are aimed at helping land holders set realistic paddock management objectives and map out achievable and affordable strategies to deliver those goals. Courses will be at:
 NSW Department of Primary Industries Research Station
Silver City Highway, Dareton
Thursday 18 and Friday 19 September
RSVP to Ben Slingsby, 03 5021 9460
Mt Gipps Station
40km north of Broken Hill
Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 September
RSVP to Isobel Colson, 02 6870 8631
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Incentives program
The next round of incentive funding is now being finalised. The focus of this funding will be on:
- Total grazing pressure management through fencing
- Riparian management- fencing to better manage river frontage
- Rangeland rehabilitation- construction of ponding banks, waterspreading systems and erosion control
- Sustainable farming programs.
Landholders across the region will be eligible to apply, although programs may target certain areas depending on funding source. All projects will be based on a cost sharing arrangement between the land holder and Western Local Land Services.
Expressions of interest will open in October. Once the expressions of interest have been checked for eligibility, a case officer will be assigned to help applicants develop a full application. All applications will be assessed and ranked by an independent panel.
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Native vegetation tools
With changes to the Native Vegetation Regulations under way, the Office of Environment and Heritage has created a series of online tools to make it quicker and easier to access information. There are four tools online that focus on helping land holders understand which clearing approvals apply to them:
- Does the Native Vegetation Act apply?
- What is the category of my vegetation?
- What clearing can I do without approval?
- What routine agricultural management activities are available?
These tools are intended to be a guide only. If you have any questions about clearing or Property Vegetation Plans on your land, talk to the staff at your local Western Land Services office.
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