|
|
|
|
Items of note for this week
Got a great idea for a project? Let your team leader hear it
Due to a number of factors, we are currently projecting to be under spent for our Catchment Action NSW funding for this financial year. This presents opportunities for us to deliver new and exciting projects that can be turned around within the next couple of months. If you have an idea (or several) of some projects that fit this description, have a chat with your team leader regarding it.
Goodbye Google calendar
As per the email on Friday morning (approx 11:50 am), Meeting Rooms, VC Bridges and non-fleet pool vehicles can be booked in Outlook. Previously, these could only be booked in Google. *Fleet vehicles remain bookable via bookingIntelligence. While Gmail meetings/bookings were copied to Outlook, room and resource bookings are no longer valid. So, to have bookings displayed in Outlook, staff will need to delete the meeting entry and manually recreate the booking again in Outlook, including all invitees and the required room and VC bridge.
Some 'how to sheets' have been developed to assist staff with the changeover while there is support available through CS Connect and Workplace.
Regional BCT update
The Biodiversity Conservation Trust recently distributed a newsletter to its subscribers and they want to make sure everyone in Western LLS was aware of it. For anyone that didn't receive the newsletter and wish to read it click here.
NSW Government Ministers
For those wondering who is who within the NSW Government Ministry, you can click here to see the full list. Of most interest to us in LLS is the Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW, Adam Marshall, and the Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro.
|
|
Projects update
Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area
TGP Beyond The Fence
Coolibah Black Box EEC
NLP2 Core Services - (RALF)
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
Predator program
NSW Landcare and LLS conference
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
|
Steering committee meeting held on 3 March, implications of the vegetation code was discussed. Pud is working his way through the management sections of Spring Hill. Sections six to nine should be completed shortly. Pud will then work his way northwards on the property. The cultural heritage reassessment on Spring Hill is complete. NLP2 Quarter 3 audit is being conducted with Silvana coordinating it. Evaluation workshop would have been held in May but will now be conducted via an online survey. The third draft of the management plan (post second round of land manager comments) is to be circulated. Communication (project newsletter) to land managers is being developed.
Following discussions with Mallee Sustainable Farms, the demonstration site will still go ahead. Fortunately consultation with landholders on trial priorities happened late last year. EMU - rain has delayed start of on ground works. Paul thinks they will still be complete by EOFY. Machinery to be used is mainly owner operated or locally sourced. Waratah (EMU3 carryover) final inspection the week of 13 April.
Rehab: Final project contracted, three are nearing completion, three are in the process of being surveyed, flora surveys are also beginning to avoid rush once they're completely finished. Weeds: All underway to varying degrees, three of seven 2nd payments have been made, flora surveys to begin soon. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage (ACH): project surveys complete, awaiting some reports, Wilcannia weeds project complete, fencing project being developed at Ramsay Park. TSR: signs designed with Bre Shire, ACH survey to be completed at Tarrion Reserve, Ford's Bridge contract awaiting return with works ready to go.
Currently working with Phil and the bio officers on 'White Spaces project', currently going through potential candidates to ensure that we are contacting the right people and that it is appropriate to do so. Also creating a process guide/template to define the white spaces process and have a template ready so the process can be repeated as necessary. Content for the Ag NRM document released for feedback, awaiting final feedback for the AG NRM document. Need to define documents place with Western LLS. Successful Aboriginal Community Advisory Group meeting with participation from Phil Sulivan, Mick Kelly creating positive networks for ACH, Dan Owens representing the NSW Wild Dog Fence Extension project presented to the group and was met very positively.
Field day scheduled for April called off/postponed. Discussions with Hugh regarding delivery of the stocktake workshop, will complete a risk assessment so it can hopefully go ahead. Finance webinar scheduled for May. More media planned for next intake. Planning/review meeting held mid-April.
All schools notified of postponement of Aquatic Roadshow. Awaiting a quote EnviroEdu to create Aquatic themed on-line resources that can be delivered to these schools. Will include the Murray Darling Basin, importance of aquatic ecosystems, threats and how we can help, the food chain inc water bugs etc. Will include worksheets and activities that meet NSW learning outcomes and will also lead back into our roadshow activities should we be able to revisit. Have contacted the schools to advise of this and all are very welcoming of the opportunity. Could also be provided to the other schools listed but were not able to be visited in this year's roadshow as a way to engage them as well. Contract with Porker Citrus to install diversion screen has been signed and is in the system ready for payment. The screen was in stock but finer mesh had to be ordered from USA. Is in a container in Australia somewhere and once delivered, Eagle I Machinery can install providing conditions allow. Demo days will also be on hold until corona virus restrictions are lifted. Still awaiting costings for the two screens for the Lachlan River from 2018/19 project (renamed the Cha Cha) which was also impacted by the shutdowns in the USA. These will be manufactured in USA and shipped as complete units once restrictions are lifted. The termination of the original contract with AWMA is underway with a request for return of funds so they can be redirected to the landholder to purchase screens from Eagle I Machinery. Reintroducing the Purple Spotted Gudgeon is going ahead and still awaiting a quote from Wingillie Station Land Manager for solar pump and fittings, exclusion fencing and protective netting.
Weeds: works underway. Awareness: Plains Wanderer shirt ordered, cutouts received, one fact sheet printed, two fact sheets nearing completion. Engagement: Plains Wanderer day postponed, Taronga Schools Program postponed, Grass Wren meeting may proceed remotely. Rehab: Contracts received, ACH surveys complete, surveying to occur soon.
All projects underway. Weed ID guide to be finalised and printed. Remaining funds to be used with aquatic funds to re-treat boxthorn on Balranald reserve.
18 ACH site surveys were completed for the month of March. Reports need to be finalised. A thank you letter to landholders is being drafted. One remaining survey to be completed on Tarrion Reserve Brewarrina (TSR). Challenge is to complete using new COVID-19 laws. A Bush Tucker nursery is to be set up at Menindee. A pheromone spray trail to be investigated to protect cave paintings from goats.
Contract sent to Duxtons for on-ground works on 3 April. Quotes for seed supply, on-ground works, direct seeder and native tube stock have been received an preferred candidates selected. These will be committed after contract with Duxtons has been finalised. Else has completed a first draft of the Regent Parrot brochure and will be seeking feedback shortly. Content for interp sign being collated. One side will have Regent Parrot focus and the other "birds you may see". Sign is being installed by the river picnic area near Euston Club. Quotes for upgrading the fence at the Euston cemetery being sourced. BMEET variation sent out on 3 April to acting CEO Jayne Sunbird. Newly formed ranger team who will participate in targeted weed control works in spring/summer 2020/21 after community EOI has occurred. Depending on interest, landholders in Regent Parrot habitat areas will have works fully paid for or enter a cost sharing arrangement.
On budget, overtime on several groups - nearly completed ground baiting
Completed
All project funds will be expended. George Wilson has been contracted to develop a proposal for the Future Drought Fund (FDF). The FDF proposal will seek funding support for multi-stakeholder collaboration between the livestock industries, the kangaroo industry and Indigenous, animal welfare, government and conservation organisations to establish a National Kangaroo Taskforce that will generate a National Kangaroo Strategy (NKS). The proposal will seek support for research and development, on ground trials, and a range of innovative projects that improve drought resilience and enterprise diversity.
All contracts out - most returned and invoiced, still waiting on a few.
Expos cancelled until 2021 - need variation from AG. Six trappers inducted into Professional Wild Dog Controller program, Collaring project underway, Claudia Bryant stepping into role as research assistant. Bourke facility documentation submitted - lease option underway - actions with Hully. 'Wild dogs 2020 vision' comms document printed for distribution at workshops.
'White Spaces' project being implemented by Biosecurity staff.
All materials have been delivered to Topra Plains. Clearing along northern fence line complete. Fencing to commence soon. Regent Parrot information day (scheduled for 19 May) has been postponed. Have discussed options for small under spend due to this with Environmental Trust.
All projects contracted. Fencing to be started this financial year (rehab on 1 project instead of fencing), ACH surveys done for this year and next.
The business plan for the River Connections project was submitted to the Environmental Trust for assessment. The assessment committee is meeting virtually at the end of April where we are expecting to be asked to present to the committee.
Still waiting on work plan and documentation. Start date has already been delayed as a result. Due to the timing of the activities, the delay may mean the project won't start now until October.
|
|
Staff movements
Leave
Staff are reminded to ensure leave requests are entered in MyHQ and approval is received prior to taking leave.
- Ryan is on leave on Monday
- Phil is on leave on Monday
- Tim is on leave on Monday
- Michelle is on leave on Monday
- Tanya is on leave on Monday
- Erlina is on leave on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
- Charles is on leave until 1 May
- Mere is currently on leave, contact Nat if you need anything
- 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.
|
|
Movements of the Ops Team
Erlina Compton
Erlina is on leave from Monday to Wednesday. On Thursday, she is on an interview panel for the NSW Wild Dog Fence Ext project manager role and on Friday will be catching up with staff and emails.
Michelle Johnson
Michelle is on leave on Monday.
Andrew Hull
Hully is working on the WAP 2025, Operations Plan 2020-21 and Catchment Action NSW plan on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Hully will be on leave on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ben Slingsby
Ben is in for the week and following up with his team regarding planning, as well as following regarding a number of projects including the Willandra Lakes project, the aquatic project and Aboriginal cultural heritage project.
Gemma Turnbull
Gemma is working on alternative event delivery options, ongoing project tasks, project preparation and recruitment.
Mitch Plumbe
Mitch is in meetings for most of Monday, for the rest of the week he will be continuing with project planning with the team, will join a Grass Group VC which is on Wednesday, progress projects and work on the Russel Harland Memorial Scholarship.
Tim Wall
Tim is on leave on Monday.
Tanya Cooper
Tanya is off sick on Monday. On Tuesday and Thursday Tanya is working from the Buronga office. Tanya's priorities for the week are the EBPC LH declaration, team leader case reviews and catching up with team members.
|
|
Out and about in the media
Please send any stories involving LLS to Charlie, or if you see a story that could be promoted on our social media pages, please also send those to Charlie.
|
|
Until next week...
Thanks for reading the 20 April 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
