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Items of note for this week
MyLLS presentation now available
It was great to see the MyLLS virtual presentation so strongly attended on Tuesday. For anyone that missed it, or wishes to view it again, the recording is available and can be accessed by clicking here.
Community engagement map for April
The community engagement map for April is now available, great to see we were still very much open for business despite the restrictions put in place due to COVID-19. Click here to see the map and thanks to the staff that uploaded their information by the deadline.
Karin appointed to Diversity Council
Congratulations to Karin who has accepted a position on the DRNSW Diversity Council. For those not familiar with the Diversity Council, it is responsible for ensuring the Department is an employer of choice by providing opportunities to assist staff achieve their potential, irrespective of age, cultural background, disability status, gender, Indigenous background, religion, sexual orientation or gender identify. The Council will also be responsible for supporting, actively valuing and celebrating diversity and inclusion across DRNSW. Karin is more than happy for any colleagues to contact her with any issue or questions they have in relation to this.
Vehicle first aid kit audit reminder
As we are now at 1 June, staff are reminded they need to complete their annual vehicle first aid kit audit. Vehicle custodians needing to download the app can click here or type - https://arcg.is/1LCyua - into their internet browser while in mobile reception. Then, click 'open' if requested. The survey will now be available anytime you open the Survey123 field app, regardless of whether you are in service or not. This form should open automatically when downloaded. You can close it by clicking on the 'x' in the top left corner. Open the form in the Survey123 field app and complete the audit (clicking 'collect') from today.
Time recording for Catchment Action NSW projects
Staff are reminded to continue to record their time and expenses for Catchment Action NSW projects, as well as ensuring their other admin is regularly up-to-date. Staff should no longer be time recording for NLP2 projects as funds have been exhausted.
Working from home, does your approval need renewing?
Staff are asked to look into whether they need to re-submit their working from another location request as some expired at the end of May. More information on working from another locations is available on the intranet.
National Reconciliation Week 27 May to 3 June
It's been great to see people sharing what NRW means to them on Workplace. There is still an opportunity for staff to do this, either in the Western staff only group or more broadly to the entire LLS team through the 'All the dirt' group. More information about NRW is on the Reconciliation Australia website.
During NRW, staff are also encouraged to make use of the ACAG artwork that was created by Cheryl Blore. This poster can be accessed by clicking here. Instructions for uploading this background to teams is below:
- go to your search bar (next to the windows icon bottom left of your screen), and copy and paste this code %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Teams\Backgrounds
- move the image you wish to use into this folder
- next time you're in Teams this image will appear as one of your background options.
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Projects
The projects team held a meeting last week and below is an overview of how all projects are tracking.
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Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area
TGP Beyond The Fence
Coolibah-Black Box EEC
NLP2 Core Services
Land Services Program
Creating Sustainable, Healthy, Diverse Waterways in the Western Region
'For The Birds' - Improved Outcomes For Significant Species
Improved Native Vegetation Condition In The Western Region Through Targeted Weed Control
Preserving Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Regent Parrot Project
Kangaroo Management Taskforce
Weeds Action Program 1520
Western Division Shires Wild Dog Program
Coordinated Pest Group Planning
Environmental Trust Regent Parrot Forage Habitat
Environmental Trust Thick Billed Grasswren
New Projects/
Applications
River Connections
Environmental Trust - Improving Groundcover In The Summer Fallow Period
SmartFarms - Roadside Surveys
Fencing Northern Basin Riverbanks
Meat & Livestock Australia Sheep Repro TOR
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Warren destruction on Spring Hill is completed, currently summarising the data and reconciling ripped warrens against mapped warrens and Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys. Working on the assumption Pan Ban will be the next station targeted for control. A round table meeting to discuss agreed task and outcomes will be scheduled (through WLC) as soon as possible. Working on a newsletter to be circulated via MailChimp with items to include LLS covid response, current status of on-ground works, program monitoring results, cultural heritage survey update and what’s next.
EMU4 - final report received today, awaiting invoice. On-ground works expected to be completed in June. Mallee Sustainable Farms - demonstration site sown several weeks ago, awaiting report. TGM workshop and schools workshops obviously not going ahead at this stage.
Rehab: one complete and paid, two complete and awaiting payment and two nearing completion. Weeds: two complete and paid, one complete and awaiting payment and two nearing completion. Engagement/awareness: All complete. Aboriginal cultural heritage: survey on Tarrion occurred last week, all other surveys complete, Wilcannia weeds complete and Ramsay Park fencing underway. TSR: Ford's Bridge work underway, Brewarrina signage invoiced but not yet complete, Redi.E weed control on Tarrion awaiting quote/contract.
On track. Final amendments to MERIT reports done. Changes to Coolibah-Black Box EEC and Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area MERI plan finalised.
Stocktake workshop held by webinar at the end of May. Next intake - 10 applicants, to be assessed.
Diversion screen on the Darling River installation to commence on 9 June at Porker Citrus. Filming of the first component of the Virtual Field Day will commence at the same time and location. Follow up filming to be conducted once the screen is operational so the irrigator can provide feedback on the results from their perspective. Filming has been completed for the aquatic ecosystems education resources and drafts will be submitted by 31 May. Reintroducing the Purple-spotted Gudgeon contract has been signed by the landholder and first invoice paid. Equipment has been purchased and on-ground works will commence once the Traditional Owners are able to get on-country now that social distancing restrictions have been lifted. Quote for the Riverscreen on the Lachlan River has been accepted and the screen ordered. The contract is with the landholder awaiting signature and invoice submission. We will pay the landholder to purchase the screen from Eagle I Machinery. The screen is being made by the engineers at the factory in the USA and will be shipped as a complete unit. Waterbug kits for the schools have been ordered and shipped.
Weeds: one complete and paid, one complete and awaiting payment, one underway. Awareness/training: Events complete or postponed due to covid, promotional material complete, one fact sheet complete, one at print stage. Rehab: one complete and paid, one to be done next week. Underspend projects: Koala survey complete and awaiting final report for payment, Malleefowl Lidar survey at at contract stage, Rock Wallaby baits purchased and landholders being engaged and supplied with baits.
Incentives: four complete and paid, six complete and awaiting payment, two underway. Weed ID Guide: at the printers and awaiting payment. Balranald Reserve: works underway. Euabalong reserve: Works underway.
A future cultural burn is proposed on the Barwon River just west of Brewarrina. The project will be a partnership between RFS Aboriginal Mitigation crew, Brewarrina Shire, REDI.E and LLS - Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment is to be completed on the Tarrion (Bre) TSR at the end of May. Two noxious weed project to be implemented has a contract with REDI.E on TSR's at Brewarrina and Goodooga by end of June.
Duxton's: On-ground works underway. Direct seeding complete and rip lines for planting into completed. These need to be allowed to sit for a few weeks to let air pockets settle and hopefully it will rain a little to help this along. Tubestock will begin to be planted in mid June. Regent Parrot brochure close to being finalised with Charlie. Will go to print shortly after. Birds sign at Euston: info and photos being sent to Sunnyland this week for them to design draft. Euston Cemetery: quotes in, Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment to be completed within the next week. Contract to be finalised with BSC. Need to complete a conservation risk assessment for National Parks Wildlife Service sign off (boundary neighbours).
National kangaroo project is progressing with proposal in development for the drought resilience fund. A best management practice guide for kangaroo management is also in final draft. The current Kangaroo Management Taskforce Strategy is being reviewed, refined and updated by Fiona.
All contracts out - most returned and invoiced, still waiting on a few. WAP2025 application submitted.
Expos program cancelled until 2021. Six trappers inducted into program, collaring project underway, Bourke facility documentation submitted - lease option underway - Grant and Jess liaising with owner.
White Spaces Project being implemented by biosecurity staff.
Fencing along northern line complete. Clearing along eastern fence line due to start soon. Regent Parrot day postponed indefinitely.
Stage 1 - 2019/20 complete. Fencing: two projects complete and paid. Rehab: one project complete and paid.
Waiting on outcome of River Connections funding application.
Meeting with Environmental Trust at end of May, agreement on its way once revised work plan is submitted. Start date has been delayed due to slow progress at ET end.
Project agreement signed 18/5. Payment in full due 22/6.
Agreements now finalised with Commonwealth and NSW. Project proposal is being progressed by Peter Irish and reps from four other regions involved. No $ expected this financial year.
Were supposed to have received feedback by 20 May, now told we will hear in June.
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Staff movements
Recruitment
We are currently recruiting for two Senior Land Services Officers. The first will join the Land Management team, based in Cobar or Bourke. The second role is working across multiple regions (reporting to Western LLS) in the Northern Murray Darling Basin for the Fencing Northern Basin Riverbanks project. Further information on both roles can be found on the I work for NSW website. Please promote these opportunities to anyone you think would be interested in applying. Both roles close 7 June.
Leave
Staff are reminded to ensure leave requests are entered in MyHQ and approval is received prior to taking leave.
- Blackie is on leave on Monday
- Jess is on leave on Monday
- Brooke is on leave from Monday to Thursday
- Mere is on leave on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
- Tanya is on leave on Thursday and Friday
- Claudia is on leave on Friday
- Grant is on leave on Friday
- Kaye is on leave on Friday
- Craig is on leave on Friday
- Guy is on leave this week
- Natalie is on leave this week
- Brian is on leave this week
- Courtney is on extended leave
- Mouldsie is on extended leave
- Kate is on extended leave
- Jacinta is on extended leave
- Kerry is on extended leave
- Jenny is on extended leave
- Rhoda is on extended leave
- Colin is on extended leave.
All staff are asked to update their leave in the Western LLS leave planner.
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Movements of the Ops Team
Erlina Compton
Erlina is on an interview panel for the ESS Team Leader Kangaroo Program, has a Senior Executive Team VC on Thursday as well as the usual staff catch-ups and HR meetings.
Michelle Johnson
Michelle will be focusing on month end forecasting and reporting.
Andrew Hull
Hully is chasing contracts this week, working on the next Operations Plan and participating in inclusions training.
Ben Slingsby
Ben has a number of meetings this week including a Communities team meeting, Aboriginal cultural heritage meeting and a meeting with landholders in Gol Gol about the Willandra project. Ben will also be completing his section for the board report, project tidy ups and 2020/21 planning for Aquatics and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Gemma Turnbull
Gemma has a number of team meetings on Monday, on Tuesday she has an Ag Production Team Leaders' meeting, on Wednesday she will discuss new projects with Mallee Sustainable Farm and on Thursday she has a PGS review meeting. Other items include recruitment, podcasts, board report and working on project gaps for next financial year.
Mitch Plumbe
Mitch will be progressing new projects (weeds and Land Services Program 2020), following up outstanding projects and completing a report for the board.
Tim Wall
Tim has staff meetings on Monday and is following up on projects. On Tuesday, Tim will complete the COVID-19 office audit and the focus for the remainder of the week is to finish 1080 audits and review of 1080 sites for Western to meet compliance requirements.
Tanya Cooper
Tanya will be working from home on Monday and Wednesday and in the Buronga office on Tuesday. Tanya will be working on case reviews, Buronga building COVID-19 audit and catch-ups with the team. Tanya will be on leave on Thursday and Friday.
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Out and about in the media
Great to see a full page story on the Professional Wild Dog Controller program in The Land - story here.
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Until next week...
Thanks for reading the 1 June edition of the Western Region Round-up, if you require clarification on any of the above, please contact the manager or team leader responsible for further information.
If there is anything else you would like to see featured in the round-up, please email Charlie.
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