Operations and performance

Key programs and initiatives

At the core of our function, Local Land Services helps people make better decisions about the land they manage and assist rural and regional communities to be profitable and sustainable into the future. We connect people with groups, information, support and funding to improve agricultural productivity and better manage our natural resources. 

We are delivering several targeted major projects to manage, protect and improve our natural resources and to assist landholders to improve primary production and adopt sustainable land management practices.

Landscape Management

Waratah Project

Following the NSW Government’s acquisition of 6,300 hectares of high biodiversity land from the China Shenhua Energy Company in January 2022, Local Land Services has actively managed these sites at Barraba, Breeza and Tambar Springs, known as Project Waratah. 

Since then, Local Land Services has led $3 million in works across the sites, coming together with neighbouring landholders, Aboriginal groups and the local community to improve biodiversity outcomes for the region. Significant emphasis has been placed on enhancing habitat for koalas and other endangered species, as well as protecting significant cultural sites and artefacts in perpetuity.

Key outcomes for the project to date:

• 24,500 trees and shrubs planted over 78 ha since 2022
• 190 km of Aboriginal cultural heritage surveys ahead of fencing and infrastructure upgrades, encouraging On Country access, events and school visits
• 74 km of new and repaired boundary fencing completed to help neighbouring livestock management and safe passage of native wildlife
• 4,778 ha treated for weeds, including innovations such as BioHerbicide capsule trials, drone spraying and remote weed mulching
• ongoing pest management programs
• research partnerships including koala monitoring and the possible identification of a new Spinifex grass species
• 25 businesses in the local community engaged 
• current review of biosecurity credit supply options.

Natural Capital

In 2023/24, Local Land Services developed a range of new natural capital support services aimed at assisting farmers and land managers to understand choices and make decisions about the natural capital they manage. These services:

• help grow knowledge and skills in natural capital and environmental markets
• support sustainable management practices to enable access to markets
• encourage investment in natural capital across farms and landscapes
• offer independent information and tailored advice
• help integrate new opportunities into existing farming systems. 

Key activities in 2023-24 involved the recruitment and training of Natural Capital Advisors for each Local Land Services region. Natural Capital Advisors provide tailored advice and support to help farmers and land managers:

• understand the different types of natural capital they manage
• identify suitable natural capital and environmental market opportunities
• learn about the potential benefits and risks of engaging in environmental markets.

Local Land Services also developed an online introductory course in natural capital and successfully piloted a new service to provide natural capital profiles for landholders in the Riverina region. This service will be extended statewide in 2024-25. 

Landcare Enabling Program

The NSW Government is delivering on a major election commitment through the $59 million NSW Landcare Enabling Program 2023-2027. 

The Program supports Landcare and landcare activities in NSW and was announced by the Minister for Agriculture on 11 October 2023.

As of June 30, 2024 the Program has:

• allocated $33.12 million in funding to 16 Landcare groups/networks for 83 full-time equivalent local and regional Landcare coordinators and support staff whose primary objective is to support on-ground projects specific to the needs of the local natural environmental and agricultural systems
• allocated $8.2 million in funding to Landcare NSW to provide enabling support for the host organisations and coordinators who received funding through the Program  
• commenced work on subsequent phases of funding, in partnership with Landcare NSW, in delivering the program as a continuation of their long-standing successful partnership.

Local Land Service and Landcare NSW have a common aim to deliver sustainable agriculture, improve our state’s natural resources and better manage our landscapes, with both organisations committed to empowering local communities and Landcare groups to achieve this.

Invasive Animals & Biosecurity

Feral Pigs

When the NSW Government’s $13 million Feral Pig Program began in October 2023, a target was set to control 87,000 feral pigs across the state. In just over eight months this target was successfully exceeded having controlled 112,888 feral pigs. The program has seen the damaging impacts of feral pigs reduced, benefiting landholders and protecting agricultural assets and the environment.

 Key achievements of the statewide Feral Pig Program October 2023 to June 2024:

• controlled 112,888 pigs, 25,888 above the original target of 87,000
• conducted 49 aerial control programs, three more than the target of 46
• boosted ground control programs across all regions 
• supported 7,375 landholders in control programs and provided 10,325 one-on-one consultations by local biosecurity officers
• held 117 capacity building events, 18 over our target of 99 sessions, to equip landholders with information and training
• boosted support to farmers through the Feral Fighters’ initiative including:
• 21 free Vertebrate Pesticide Induction Training (VPIT) courses
• issuing 199,886 kg of free 1080 baited grain
• worked across three priority landscape scale control zones to reduce numbers in feral pig hotspots across North West, Central West, Riverina and Western NSW 
• captured impacts and population estimations through monitoring initiatives
• appointed NSW’s first dedicated Feral Pig Coordinator to lead the program.

The NSW Government remains committed to tackling feral pig numbers and other pest animals, committing $13.1 million in 2024-25 to build on the Feral Pig Program’s success. The 2024-25 Feral Pig and Pest Program will continue to support landholders to reduce the impacts of pest animals, minimise biosecurity risks and protect the environment.

Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plans

From the beginning of June 2024, Local Land Services asked landholders and the community to provide feedback on the draft 2024 - 2028 Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plans for 11 regions across NSW.  

More than 4,000 people visited the ‘Have your say’ portal over four weeks. In total, 544 contributions were received from the public and stakeholders, including 275 surveys completed, 231 quick polls answered, 21 submissions uploaded and 30 emails received.

The feedback will be incorporated into the final plans, which are a vital tool to help coordinate pest control between all landholders and managers. They provide a practical and regional approach to managing priority pests that pose a biosecurity and biodiversity threat. Engaging with communities across each region is essential to ensuring local needs are reflected and the plans are inclusive.  

The plans will help us work together to identify, target and manage pest animals over the next five years.

Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plans work to:

• reduce the social, environmental and financial impact of pest animals in NSW
• improve community participation in biosecurity management  
• increase numbers of well-trained and resourced landowners
• eliminate or prevent the spread of new invasive species
• reduce the impact of widespread invasive species
• ensure NSW can manage invasive species for the future.

The consultation period was from 3 June to 7 July 2024.

Emergency Management  

Natural Disasters

Drying conditions prevailed across NSW until December 2023, keeping Local Land Services ready to support landholders. Emergency Management Coordinators from each region met regularly to monitor the conditions and prepare for a challenging bushfire season. In support of the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS), an Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA) Operational Readiness Matrix was developed. Using a Fire Behaviour Index (FBI) trigger, Local Land Servies regions were able to establish predetermined operational readiness levels ahead of predicted bushfire activity.

Between October and December 2023, 28 Local Land Services staff responded to five separate bushfire events. Support included the provision of emergency care of animals at evacuation sites, activation of animal safe places (ASP) and to coordinate support to primary industries to minimise impact to primary production, ensure animal welfare, and assess impacts to aid recovery.  

In April 2024, minor to moderate flooding occurred across parts of the Mid North Coast, Greater Sydney region, South Coast, and North West. Coastal regions were on standby for any AASFA assistance, which fortunately wasn’t required. However, Greater Sydney LLS assisted by opening grounds for evacuated animals near Windsor.

Local Land Services also assisted NSW Police in responding to transport accidents involving animals, often referred to as truck rollovers. This year, nine incidents required assistance from Local Land Services staff for accidents involving cattle and sheep, with staff providing veterinary assessment, treatment, and euthanasia services in quite challenging situations.

Biosecurity

On 19 September 2023, the National Management Group determined that the Varroa Mite outbreak was no longer technically feasible to eradicate. A National Transition to Management response plan was approved on13 February 2024. This year 29 Local Land Services staff participated in response activities from incident management to beehive destruction and disposal.  

Red Imported Fire Ants reappeared in NSW in November 2023 and again in January 2024. Over 10 Local Land Services staff worked with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (which includes the former NSW Department of Primary Industries) and the National Fire Ant Eradication Program to undertake treatment, surveillance, and community awareness activities on the North Coast.

In June 2024, Local Land Services were requested to assist with a confirmed detection of high pathogenicity avian influenza H7N8 in a poultry layer facility and commercial meat chicken premises in the Hawkesbury District. 59 Local Land Services staff were rostered on for ongoing response duties primarily undertaking destruction, surveillance and tracing to minimise any financial disruption and negative impacts on the economy, community, and environment.

Preparedness

During the 2023-24 financial year, 500 staff participated in a total of 32 Emergency Management exercises, including 17 face-to-face or functional type scenarios. Of the 32 exercises, 19 were developed and led by Local Land Services, or conjointly with partner agencies, focusing on various aspects of emergency preparedness:

Bushfire Preparedness: addressing bushfire preparedness is crucial given the frequent bushfire risks in Australia.

Emergency Animal Disease (EAD): managing and responding to outbreaks of animal diseases, which can have significant impacts on agriculture and public health.

Plant Biosecurity: aimed at preventing, detecting, and managing threats to plant health.

Regular IMT, Flood, and Evacuation Centre Conditions: routine exercises related to Incident Management Teams (IMT), flood response, and evacuation centres were also part of the training.

Notably, the training of Local Land Services staff in using systems like MAX Case Management System and Web Emergency Operations Centre (WebEOC) increases capability in leveraging technology for effective emergency response. Both are widely used tools in emergency management, facilitating communication, coordination, and decision-making during a response.

Overall, these exercises contribute to building a more resilient and prepared NSW in the face of emergencies and disasters. 

• 78% staff completed foundational training
• 34% staff trained in an emergency response role
• 19 Emergency events responded to
• 32 preparedness exercises conducted across the state
• 500 staff participated in preparedness exercises. 

Plague Locusts

As a key component of administering and managing the NSW Pest Management Fund on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Local Land Services assumed responsibility for statewide coordination of locust management across NSW from 1 July 2023. Local Land Services now serves as the Plague Locust Commissioner and has established a Plague Locust Coordinator within the Statewide Programs team.

One of the major tasks includes the management, procurement, storage and distribution of the state locust chemical stock. Audits were conducted across 21 different sites to validate chemical stocks and consolidate storage locations. Batch testing was undertaken to confirm all chemicals are within specifications.

Aviation and field crew training material has been reviewed to be delivered to Local Land Services staff next year. Reporting and surveillance processes and systems have been developed to ensure Local Land Services can maintain situational awareness of locust activity to assist landholders minimise the risk of plague locusts. 

Primary production

Early Needs Recovery Program

The $13 million Early Needs Recovery Program was designed to assist primary producers in the most flood-impacted regions and industries of NSW in their recovery from the 2022 NSW severe weather storms and flooding events (AGRN1012*).

The impact of the 2022 NSW floods on our primary industries exceeded half a billion dollars, affecting more than 30 industries and 24,000 jobs in the flood impacted areas of the North Coast, Hunter, Greater Sydney, and South-East regions. Primary producers in these regions were the program's focus.

The services provided under the Early Needs Recovery program were delivered by Local Lands Services in partnership with NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (which includes the former NSW Department of Primary Industries), industry, not-for-profit organisations, and local control authorities to ensure that the unique recovery needs of the most impacted sectors in these regions were met.

The Early Needs Recovery program supported 13 primary industries to deliver a range of opportunities including:

• targeted technical support to help primary producers regain productivity
• landscape scale pest, weed and disease control programs
• industry support for flood impacted primary industries to develop and deliver tailored activities to support recovery for primary producers (Industry Grants Program)
• support for volunteer/not-for-profit organisations to re-establish fence lines on flood affected properties (Fence Rebuilding Program). 

Drought Hub

Local Land Services is a key partner of Southern NSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and the Southern Queensland Northern NSW Innovation Hub, which are supported by the Future Drought Fund. Through these partnerships we have received funding for eight Drought Adoption Officers to support landholders in preparing, responding and recovering from drought. 

Over the last 12 months, Drought Adoption Officers have engaged in technical consultations with over 400 landholders across the state and attended over 100 community events to raise awareness.  

In partnership with the Southern NSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub, Local Land Services has delivered the Saving Our Soils During Drought Program which aims to enhance drought resilience by promoting the adoption of confinement feeding areas, thereby enhancing groundcover, reducing erosion and improving overall productivity. This initiative is part of the broader Future Drought Fund, which is dedicated to improving the preparedness and resilience of Australian farmers and agricultural-dependent communities against the impacts of drought.  

The project aims to overcome the barriers to adoption by providing comprehensive tools, information and support through large-scale demonstration and extension efforts. This includes the development of case studies, demonstration sites, workshops, and modelling to build robust evidence base and foster widespread adoption of these practices.

Case studies

Download the attached Annual Report (PDF) below to access case studies related to

• Farm Forestry Stewardship Pilot
• Beef Fundamentals
• Feral Pig Program – protecting environment and agriculture
• Riverina Drought Resilient Soils and Landscape Project
• Local Land Services Graduate Program.

What our customers say

After an interaction between Local Land Services staff and our customers, we measure customer satisfaction through the MyView Survey. Over the past year, feedback from the MyView survey remained positive with high customer experience scores and net promoter scores across the state, in keeping with previous years.

The MyView platform provides valuable feedback from customers to help us meet customer service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and improve our service delivery. The survey asks customers to rate their interactions with us via a series of smiley faces (customer experience) and a short optional survey where customers can make comments and let us know if they’d recommend our services to friends or family (net promoter score). The results for 2023-24 are shown below. 

Feedback received via the MyView survey shows that our customers value the services delivered by Local Land Services, especially workshops and information sessions.

Our customers also value the way our staff interact with them, recognising their skills, knowledge and professionalism. Feedback regarding Local Land Services staff was overwhelmingly positive:

• 404 out of the 1,803 respondents had specified staff in their survey
• 365 of these responses gave either positive or extremely positive experiences.  

One question from the survey asks “how did we exceed your expectations?” The two most frequent responses are:

• speedy service (57%)  
• great advice being the point of difference (22%).

Complaints management

In 2024 a new, consistent and efficient complaints handing process was introduced. Resources including FAQs, posters and an intranet page have provided clear understanding for both staff and customers on what differentiates feedback from complaints, as well as how to handle a complaint effectively. Importantly, we have helped our customers to understand how they can expect their complaint to be resolved.