GENERAL BIOSECURITY DUTY FOR ALL LANDOWNERS
Biosecurity is the protection of our economy, environment and community from the negative impacts of pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants. But many landowners are unaware of their General Biosecurity Duty as defined in the Biosecurity Act 2015.
Under the framework enacted in July 2017, biosecurity is a shared responsibility where government, industry and the people of NSW work together to protect the economy, environment and community from the impacts of pest animals and weeds.
Landowners need to take all reasonable steps to ensure they are managing biosecurity matters on their property, and that they are not causing harm to their neighbours and the surrounding community through inaction on their individual property.
It is important that all landowners across our region make themselves aware of obligations and the associated legal responsibilities. Please visit our website to find out more about how we can work with you to uphold biosecurity in the Central Tablelands.
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DUE 31 August 2019
If you pay Local Land Services rates or have a property identification code (PIC), you need to lodge an Annual Land and Stock Return by 31 August 2019.
Your return, even if you have no stock on your property, helps build a state-wide picture of land use in NSW. This information is invaluable in the event of an emergency or a biosecurity event such as a pest or disease outbreak.
Information on how to lodge your return has been mailed out to all Local Land Services ratepayers. You can lodge your return easily online, or return the form by post. Contact your local office if you have misplaced the form that was mailed to you.
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Click to learn more about your Annual Stock and Land Return
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DO  YOU HAVE A BIOSECURITY MANAGEMENT PLAN?
The amendment to the Biosecurity Regulation announced late last month enhances biosecurity risk management against unlawful entry to premises by making it mandatory for any farm or site visitors to comply with a Biosecurity Management Plan.
Having a Biosecurity Management Plan remains voluntary but if there is a plan in operation, from 1 August 2019, it will become a legal requirement to obey relevant signs, procedures and measures outlined in the plan.
Anyone who enters the designated biosecurity area and doesn’t comply with the plan’s requirements may be guilty of an offence under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Penalties can include an on the spot fine of $1,000 or a court ordered fine of $220,000 for individuals and $440,000 for corporations.
Arrangements in biosecurity management plans aim to prevent, eliminate, and minimise the biosecurity risks posed by people entering a place at which commercial agricultural or horticultural activity, including processing and education, occurs.
Click here for a biosecurity management plan template from the Farm Biosecurity Website. Contact your local Central Tablelands LLS office to find out more.
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AVAILABLE NOW
Financial incentives for landowners working together with Central Tablelands LLS to protect and improve the health of our region are now available.
Through a range of projects and programs, Central Tablelands LLS supports land managers and members of the community in working together to build resilient communities in productive healthy landscapes.
There are two projects where funding is available - Woodland Birds on Farms and Healthy Landscapes. These projects will provide incentive funding and technical support to targeted landowners to undertake a range of activities including fencing, alternative water sources, and revegetation that will protect and enhance habitat values on your property.
The Woodland Birds on Farms project brings together species experts and the community to help the Regent Honeyeater and other declining woodland bird species survive in the Capertee Valley, Mudgee-Wollar and South-west Slopes Key Biodiversity Areas on the Central Tablelands.
A high priority is to identify remnant vegetation that can be protected from degradation (clearing or inappropriate management) within the Key Biodiversity areas, which are important habitat for the Regent Honeyeater.
In areas where Regent Honeyeaters are known to nest, we will also look at creating more habitat to ensure young Regent Honeyeaters will have plenty of food when they can’t fly too far to search for it.
Key Priority areas for Woodland Birds on Farms project
Healthy Landscapes project assists private land managers to improve the extent, condition and connectivity of native vegetation and streams in priority corridor areas across the Central Tablelands. These incentives will be available to landowners within the region’s priority corridor areas.
Projects linking to priority corridor areas through existing native vegetation will also be considered for funding. Local Land Services have worked with Local Councils to identify roadside sites of high conservation value. Our aim is to increase the extent of these areas by working with adjacent landholders to improve the condition of the Grassy Box Woodland on their properties.
Key priority corridor areas for Healthy Landscapes project
Landowners wishing to protect and/or enhance bushland and stream habitat within priority areas of the Central Tablelands LLS region are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest prior to Monday 2 September 2019.
To find out how to register your interest or to find out more, please contact your local Central Tablelands LLS office.
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NESTING AND BREEDING SEASON BEGINS
It's the start of nesting and breeding season for the endangered Regent Honeyeater which is known to return to the same area each year to breed. There are two critical breeding areas for the species within the Central Tablelands - Capertee Valley and Mudgee-Wollar key biodiversity areas.
Regent Honeyeaters usually nest in horizontal branches or forks in tall mature eucalypts and sheoaks. They also nest in mistletoe haustoria. Habitat loss and degradation is one of the key threats to the survival of the species.
Central Tablelands LLS manage projects that build on many years of volunteer and community dedication to conservation of Regent Honeyeater habitat across our region. Through our support, many landowners are actively managing and monitoring Regent Honeyeater habitat on their land, which is increasing the quality and quantity of habitat available in the future.
You can help protect this woodland bird through upcoming planting and survey events organised in partnership with BirdLife Southern NSW. Click here to find out more about how you can get involved.
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NEED HELP WITH YOUR RAA DROUGHT FORMS?
As drought conditions continue to persist across the state, we are continuing to help landholders manage their farming businesses during these challenging times.
Farmers having trouble accessing online RAA forms for the drought transport subsidies can get access to the online forms at your nearest Central Tablelands LLS office.
ARE YOU READY FOR FIRE SEASON?
While the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period runs from 1 October to 31 March, it's likely that persistent dry conditions will trigger the bushfire danger period coming into effect early.
Make sure you're prepared to minimise any impacts of a bush fire emergency to you, your family, your animals and your property. Visit NSW Rural Fire Service.
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How are ewe doing?
DROUGHT SUPPORT PROGRAM
The drought support program provides free mental health and emotional support to farmers, farming families, local businesses and service providers affected by the drought.
The drought support program is designed to meet the needs of individuals, couples and families; whether you require short term conversations and information or ongoing formal counselling options.
The drought support program can also assist community members to access other mental health services you may require.
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AGRIBUSINESS TODAY FORUM - COWRA
Maximising red meat yields and business opportunities.
Thursday 8 - Friday 9 August 2019
BIRD SURVEYS AND WILDLIFE MONITORING - VARIOUS
Central Tablelands Landcare group are holding three information workshops in surveying for birds and wildlife monitoring in the Booomey, Lucknow and Borenore areas.
Saturday 10 - Sunday 11 August, and Friday 23 August 2019
1080/PINDONE TRAINING - BATHURST
Free course covering topics such as baiting techniques, toxicity, storage, transport, legislation and WH&S, with an optional Canid Pest Ejector component.
Tuesday 13 August 2019
HERBICIDES IN PASTURE LANDSCAPES - OBERON
Lunchtime seminar covering the way herbicides work, mode of action, types of herbicides, potential resistance and other methods of control of weeds in pastures.
Wednesday 14 August 2019
WOODLAND BIRDS ON FARMS; REGENT HONEYEATER PLANTING - RYLSTONE
Tree-planting weekend to preserve and restore Regent Honeyeater habitat in the Capertee Valley.
Saturday 17 August 2019
INTRODUCTION TO BIODYNAMICS - BATHURST
Workshop suitable for home gardeners, horticulture, small intensive cropping, broad acre farming and animal production.
Thursday 22 - Friday 23 August 2019
19th AUSTRALIAN AGRONOMY CONFERENCE - WAGGA WAGGA
The conference theme Cells to Satellites highlights the integrative nature of agronomy.
Sunday 25 - Thursday 29 August 2019
RISKS AND REWARDS OF FARMING IN A CHANGING CLIMATE - ORANGE
This conference aims to address gaps in the climate/carbon knowledge and adaptive capacity among primary producers in NSW Central Tablelands and Central West region.
Tuesday 10 September 2019
BACKYARD BEEKEEPING COURSE - MUDGEE
Hands-on course will cover the essentials such as protective clothing, hive design, hive management, biosecurity, honey extraction and a whole lot more.
Thursday 19 - Friday 20 October 2019
NSW LANDCARE AND LOCAL LAND SERVICES CONFERENCE - BROKEN HILL
‘Healthy Landcare – Healthy Landscapes’ - highlighting some of the great work and achievements by the Landcare community and landholders throughout NSW, while also offering informative speakers, workshops and field trips.
Tuesday 22 - Thursday 24 October 2019
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YOUR PHOTOS
Taken a great snap around your property? Share your photos
and tag us on social media #CentralTablelandsLLS
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Galloway calf at the Mudgee Small Farm Field Days
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| If you're interested in staying up to date with news from the Central Tablelands Local Land Services and seeing events as soon as they're scheduled, connect with us on social media - links below! |
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