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Get up to date with the team at Western LLS. 

Western Division Professional Wild Dog Controller Program


Landholders and community members only have until Sunday to submit an expression of interest if they are interested in taking part in Western LLS and Bourke Shire Council's Professional Wild Dog Controller Program.

The Professional Wild Dog Controller Program is a joint effort between Western LLS and 16 incorporated pest animal control groups and Landcare groups, working with landholders across a diverse landscape to protect livestock and control wild dog numbers in the Western Division. 

The 12 month program will expand on present control arrangements and integrate with existing local wild dog management plans.

From this EOI process, a pool of Professional Wild Dog Controllers will be established to work throughout the Western Division to control problem dogs in direct response to livestock attacked and dog sightings reported by landholders. A set contract rate of $50 per hour plus GST and $0.25c/km mileage has been established. 

EOIs are due by 17 November. To view the full selection criteria and request an EOI form please contact Regional Pest Animal Coordinator, Phil Baird on 0417 776 218 or via email. 

From the EOI process, a list of preferred Professional Wild Dog Controllers will be established and then further assessed by an independent assessor to ensure competency and skill for wild dog control. 

NSW Landcare and LLS conference a massive success! 


Approximately 320 delegates made the trip to Broken Hill for the conference which was held on 22-24 October and over the three days they got to enjoy some amazing experiences, including:
  • Welcome Adventure Function at Mundi Mundi and Silverton (featuring Sara Storer)
  • keynote presentation from Charlie Arnott, winner of the 2018 Bob Hawke Landcare Award
  • one of four unique field trips into the landscape 
  • NSW Landcare Awards Gala Dinner - click here to see the list of champions
  • wrap up dinner featuring Drag Queen Bingo - for anyone in attendance it was certainly a highlight!
For those who were unable to attend and want to know more about the event, visit the conference website which has been updated with the presentations and photos from Broken Hill. 

The 2019 conference committee wishes to thank all the delegates who travelled to Broken Hill and the people and local communities in and around Broken Hill for their great hospitality. 

Malleefowl mounds monitored at Mt Hope and Buronga 


Western LLS had a busy weekend on 9 and 10 November monitoring Malleefowl mounds at Mt Hope and Buronga.

Monitoring helps us understand more about Malleefowl, which are listed as an endangered species, its habits and how active the bird is. 

It was great to see a total of 32 volunteers at the events and help this amazing bird — over the two days more than 90 mounds were monitored which was a great effort.  

Participants had a wonderful time learning more about the bird, monitoring techniques, observing working mounds and spending time with others in the Mallee.

If you would like to become involved contact Land Services Officer, Andrea Cashmere on 0417 050 138 or
via email.

Western LLS joined forces with Saving our Species, Centre for Invasive Species and the NSW Malleefowl Recovery Group to bring the weekend together. The NSW Malleefowl Recovery Group is newly formed and is investing time in training people to assist with future monitoring. 

Do I need a stock permit? Contact Western LLS


Landholders have a legal obligation to have a permit for stock on Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) and public roads. There are four types of stock permits:
  • Walking stock permits: for travelling stock walking long distances.
  • TSR grazing stock permits: for landholders adjoining an enclosed TSR. 
  • Roadside grazing stock permits: for short periods on specific sections of public road. 
  • Routine stock movement permits: for routine movements of stock between properties occupied by the same person, issued annually. 
Stock transported by truck need a Transported Stock Statement. 

Permits are important for planning and biosecurity, and there are fines for not having appropriate permits. There is also the risk of liability in the event of an accident. 

To apply for a permit, contact your local Biosecurity Officer on 1300 795 299. 

There are serious consequences for landholders that operate without the appropriate permit. 

Learning about the Regent Parrot


Toward the end of last month, students in year 5 and 6 from Euston Public School participated in a Regent Parrot field day at the nearby Euston Regional Reserve to observe an active regent parrot breeding colony.

Students learned about the habitat requirements for Regent Parrot feeding and breeding sites from technical expert Mick Todd from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, and it was great that over the course of the day, many birds were seen coming and going from their nest sites. 

Euston is the ideal location to hold such events as it is the only town in NSW to have Regent Parrots visit on a regular basis. 

Western LLS engaged Petaurus Education Group to develop a series of educational resources focused on the Regent Parrot which includes a book authored and illustrated by the students, as well as a short video. 

The book and video launch is planned for early December at the school.

For further information on the field day or Western LLS' work with Regent Parrots, contact Land Services Officer, Karin Sluiter on (03) 5021 9459 or via email. 

A number of key stakeholders were involved in the day including members from the Balranald Shire Council and the Euston Beautification and Tourism Committee. 

Time for landholders involved in our projects to get their monitoring in 


Landholders that have an incentives project with Western LLS are asked to get out into the paddock and take photos for monitoring month. 

If you have an incentive project that requires annual photo point monitoring, you will soon receive a reminder letter in the mail, along with instructions and a recording sheet. 

You can submit your monitoring in the following ways: 
  • complete the photo point data sheet and send a copy via email - click here for the form or refer to your letter for a hard copy
  • post the completed form to 'Monitoring Month' PO Box 307, Cobar NSW 2835
  • drop off in person to any Western LLS office
  • complete your form electronically - click here for the form. 
Please note that the LLS monitoring database and the app that was rolled out last year is not available this year. 

Due to the continuing dry seasonal conditions and the pressures faced by landholders affected by the drought, this year we have extended the monitoring period until 15 December 2019.

Please submit your reports as soon as practicable and thank you to those that have already done this. 

If you are unsure of your monitoring requirements, check your contact details or contract your case officer directly, or Silvana Keating, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, on 0427 661 264 or via email.

Senior Land Services Officer, Brian Dohnt with landholder Dennis Stewart at a monitoring point in 2018. Monitoring must be undertaken every year for a period of 10 years after the completion of the on-ground works portion of your project as specified in your contract. Some contracts also ask for project evaluations at the 5 year and 10 year mark. If your project is one of those you may also be asked to provide feedback on your experience with Western LLS. This is critical information so that we can improve services and projects and respond to the current and emerging challenges across the region. 

Preparing for a bushfire and general fire emergency 


As everyone would be aware, the north and central parts of NSW are currently experiencing devastating bushfires with Local Land Services staff part of the response team. 

While there are no bushfires in the Western region at the time of writing, there are a number of things landholders and community members should be aware of:
  • Preparing for an emergency is extremely important heading into summer. Ensure you have a plan for yourself, and your animals, in the event of a bushfire. 
  • You can find the current fire danger rating for our region here. 
  • You are encouraged to download the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Fires Near Me app and turn on alerts as well as set up notification zones. You can also view it from your computer. 
  • Visit the NSW RFS Facebook page and stay up to date by listening to your local ABC. 
Should you find yourself in an emergency situation:
  • Follow instructions from emergency services.
  • Call 000 if your life is at risk or you see a new fire.
  • Only travel if absolutely necessary. 
Please keep safe and pass this information onto family and friends who may not have received this newsletter.  

Dates for the diary

 

Examining your farm energy use (workshop series)
 
 
Western LLS has joined with the NSW Dept of Primary Industries to host five workshops around the Western region that will aim to assist landholders and community members with their farm energy use. The workshops will cover off on the energy market, understanding your energy bill, understanding your energy use to save on your power bill and your energy management options. Participants are encouraged to bring along their power bill. 

Workshop details: 
  • Monday, 2 Dec at 10:30 am - Dareton NSW DPI office (Silvert City hwy)
  • Monday, 2 Dec at 4 pm - Pooncarie Hall
  • Tuesday, 3 Dec at 3 pm - Ivanhoe Hotel
  • Wednesday, 4 Dec at 3 pm - Warrawong on the Darling, Wilcannia
  • Thursday, 5 Dec at 3 pm - Packsaddle Roadhouse. 
More info: Visit the Western LLS website or contact Senior Land Services Officer, Tanisha Shields on
0447 642 131 or via email. These events are free with a BBQ and refreshments provided afterwards.
 

Fodder schrub drought feeding workshop (Kiacatoo)
 
 
Central West LLS is running this event which would be of interest for landholders who are looking for supplementary feed options for their stock during the ongoing drought. Some of the topics covered include local drought tolerant forage species and their nutritional value, benefits and limitations of schrubs for animal feeds eg toxicities, management principles, alignment to animal feeding needs etc. 

Workshop details: 
  • Kiacatoo Hall (field trip to 'Traquair' via Kiacatoo, hosted by James and Danielle Leigo). Thursday, 21 Nov from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. 
More info: Visit the Central West LLS website and RSVP to Brooke Kirkman, Community Engagement Officer, 0427 069 851 or via email. 
Until next time...

Thanks for reading our November newsletter, please hit reply or contact your local Western LLS office for further information on any of the items.

Please forward this newsletter onto anyone who would benefit or enjoy seeing what has been happening in the Western region.
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Western Local Land Services 
Web: www.lls.nsw.gov.au/western
Freecall: 1300 795 299






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