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Download Local Land Services Annual Report 2023-2024
Current as of Tuesday, 03 December 2024.
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Local Land Services Annual Report 2023-2024
Overview & About Us
Message from the Chief Executive Officer
As the new CEO of Local Land Services (LLS), I am pleased to present the 2023-2024 annual report, reflecting the outstanding efforts of our dedicated and passionate team.
I also want to recognise the leadership and contribution of our former CEO, Steve Orr, who expertly guided the organisation through significant environmental challenges in our state. His efforts have been important in supporting the people of New South Wales (NSW) during both difficult and successful times.
In February 2024, LLS celebrated its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, our agency has consistently delivered strong support services and programs, including plant and pest animal management, agricultural production, and natural resource management.
The Feral Pig Program is one of our standout achievements this year. We exceeded our targets, controlling over 113,000 feral pigs through successful baiting and trapping methods. This program’s success is further bolstered by funding for another twelve months, helping landholders manage vertebrate pest problems and reduce their impact on farms.
Our commitment to strong governance and community engagement remains unwavering. The Local Land Services Board and local boards across eleven NSW regions have been strengthened with new members, both ministerially and locally appointed. These boards will work closely with landholders and local communities to shape the services offered by LLS.
We are also proud to foster the next generation of LLS professionals. The second year of our successful graduate recruitment program this year saw record numbers, with 13 graduates joining us, including three graduates who made the move to relocate to western NSW to take up their opportunity. A particular focus on much-needed veterinary services for the regions resulted in two vets being engaged from the Greater Sydney region. The continuation and interest in our graduate program is testament to the importance of regional life, farming and fostering the next generation of skilled people in the regions.
Supporting our landholders is at the forefront of everything we do at LLS and I am thrilled to be leading the organisation into the future and with the support of the Board, setting the organisation up for another successful decade.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our boards, delivery partners, leadership team, and staff for their enduring commitment to delivering high-quality services to farmers, landholders, and the wider community.
Kate Lorimer-Ward
Chief Executive Officer
Message from the Chair
As a former local board member and now Chair of the LLS Board, I am continually impressed by the resilience, fortitude and passion of NSW landholders and the community for the land and its future.
These long-standing foundations, ingrained in family history and culture, have shaped regional NSW, enabling it to carry on, recover and innovate in times of crisis. They highlight what makes regional NSW a great place to live, work and visit.
As a landholder myself, I experience firsthand the services and support that LLLS are committed to providing. I am proud to offer a perspective from both sides of the fence, ensuring that what Local Land Services provides aligns with community needs.
This year, 24 new and returning members have been appointed to the regional boards following an extensive recruitment process. All regional board chairs have now been appointed or reappointed. I look forward to working with the State Board on determining strategy and policy and providing oversight of the functions of Local Land Services.
A review undertaken this year of our boards and committees has released findings ensuring we remain relevant, provide tailored services to meet local needs and attract a high level of trust for what we do.
Working alongside my fellow board members, we offer a local connection, a voice, and an ear on the ground, providing valuable insight and leadership to target assistance and activities where they are needed most. I look forward to working with our communities to support and shape the future direction of the NSW farming landscape.
Tess Herbert
Chair
Our year at a glance
- Almost 1,170,000 ha of land was managed for improved agricultural production.
- We helped to enhance, protect and rehabilitate over 15,300 ha of native vegetation.
- Almost 5,600 permits issued for travelling stock reserves.
- We improved the soil condition on more than 202,000 ha.
- Our staff helped rehabilitate, enhance and protect over 17,400 ha of wetlands, rivers and estuaries.
- We collaborated with Aboriginal communities to implement projects on over 8,500 ha to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage and traditional ecological knowledge.
- Our vets and biosecurity officers conducted over 2,400 on-farm disease surveillance investigations.
- We protected almost 46,500,000 ha of land through coordinated pest animal control programs.
- We built the capability of over 159,000 land managers through workshops, field days, training, supporting community groups and providing 1:1 technical advice and other services.
- We helped reduce the impact of weeds through over 130,000 weed inspections.
- We approved 414 private native forestry plans and licensed over 83,500 ha of private native forestry.
- We issued 151 land management certificates over an area of almost 44,000 ha to allow improved native vegetation management.
About Us
Local Land Services is a regionally based land management and biosecurity focused NSW Government agency delivering quality services to farmers, land managers and the wider community.
We have over 960 staff in more than 80 locations around NSW. Our experienced on-ground officers know the land, conditions and people in the communities we support.
Staff provide land managers and the community with advice, information, training and networking opportunities to grow their capacity and make more informed decisions to enhance the management and productivity of land in NSW.
We contribute to increased farm profitability by supporting traceability and offering certification that livestock and livestock products are free of disease and residues. This is essential for continued and competitive access to domestic and international markets.
We increase community and land manager understanding of biodiversity, land stewardship and the importance of healthy and resilient ecosystems. This includes partnering with land managers and funding bodies to implement on-ground projects that benefit the environment, economy and community.
Our regional teams work to ensure that everyone is playing their part in protecting NSW against biosecurity threats. These teams work closely with people on the ground to protect against pests, plant and animal diseases, providing up-to-date technical advice and frontline services, including stock inspections and disease screening. Our programs help land managers manage pest animals and invasive weeds on their properties, which not only protects their business but also threatened species' native habitats.
Vision
Vibrant communities in productive, healthy landscapes.
Mission
To be a customer-focused business that enables improved primary production and better management of natural resources.
Values
- Accountability
- Integrity
- Trust
- Service
Local Land Services was established in 2013 as a body corporate with 13 agencies, including 11 local boards, the Local Land Services Board (or state board) and the Local Land Services Staff Agency.
Together we are recognised as an Executive Agency related to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The principal legislation administered by Local Land Services is the Local Land Services Act 2013 and the Local Land Service Regulation 2014.
The Local Land Services Act 2013 defines our purpose which is to deliver programs and advisory services associated with the following:
- agricultural production
- biosecurity, including animal pest and disease and plant pest and disease prevention, management, control and eradication
- preparedness, response and recovery for animal pest and disease and plant pest and disease emergencies and other emergencies impacting on primary production or animal health and safety
- animal welfare
- chemical residue prevention, management and control
- natural resource management and planning
- travelling stock reserves and stock watering places
- control and movement of stock
- related services and programs.
Animal biosecurity and welfare
Local Land Services’ district veterinarians and biosecurity officers are on the ground to support livestock managers across NSW to assist with diagnosing animal diseases to maintain livestock health.
We deliver frontline animal biosecurity services including on-property disease investigations, residue traceback investigations, regulation, and compliance (e.g. NLIS (National Livestock Identification System)), state disease programs (e.g. footrot eradication), livestock certification and Emergency Animal Disease prevention, preparedness, and response.
Conservation and restoration of natural and cultural resources
Natural Resource Management
Natural resource management (NRM) refers to the coordinated strategies adopted for the sustainable use of our major natural resources, such as land, water, soil, forests, fisheries, plants, and animals.
Local Land Services support and enable land managers to better manage natural resources - avoiding or reversing their decline and maintaining land uses that are sustainable and productive.
We work with land managers, stakeholders, and community groups to develop and deliver effective NRM practices and build capacity to manage land through drought, flood, and climate variability, promote resilient business practices, and safeguard our landscapes and natural assets for future generations.
Cultural heritage
Aboriginal peoples have practised sustainable natural resource management to care for flora, fauna and biodiversity for thousands of years. Local Land Services support Aboriginal people to care for Country, share traditional land management and ecological knowledge, and help protect and strengthen Aboriginal cultural heritage.
NSW is made up of many Aboriginal nations who have an ongoing responsibility to respect and protect their culture. For Local Land Services, Aboriginal communities are identified as key customers, and we are responsible for:
- communicating, consulting and engaging with the Aboriginal community
- including the Aboriginal community in the delivery of land services across NSW.
Our State Strategic Plan outlines a management strategy that delivers services that support Aboriginal people to care for Country and share traditional land management and ecological knowledge.
As of 2024, approximately 6% of Local Land Services staff identify as Aboriginal, and we work in partnership with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to deliver our services.
Emergency management
Local Land Services plays a crucial role in managing natural disaster and biosecurity emergencies that affect the community, environment, and economy of NSW.
We work with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (which includes the former NSW Department of Primary Industries) and other agencies to provide vital support in emergencies including natural disasters (such as flood and bushfire), and biosecurity events involving plants, animals, and pest insects such as locust plagues.
We also help land managers plan and prepare for, respond to, and recover from biosecurity emergencies and natural disasters by providing advice about the development of emergency property planning and preparedness plans.
Our trained staff support land managers and communities to recover from any biosecurity events or natural disasters, with the provision of technical advice, access to information and connection to critical of key services.
Invasive species
Local Lands Services supports land managers to fulfil responsibilities to manage pests, weeds, and diseases under Australian biosecurity legislation and run a profitable farming enterprise.
Our biosecurity officers are on the ground to provide advice to help land managers control invasive species on their land. This includes advice on how to control pest animals, property inspections and free online accredited training to support the use of baits and pesticides.
We also provide access to baits for ratepayers and can advise land managers on baiting strategies depending on their needs.
Land management, native vegetation and private native forestry
Land Management
The Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and Local Land Services Act 2013 were developed to ensure a balanced approach to rural land management and biodiversity conservation in NSW. The Land Management Framework describes those aspects that relate to native vegetation management on rural land.
Local Land Services is responsible for implementing the land management and biodiversity reforms including implementing the NSW government plan for nature and work closely with land managers to manage native vegetation on their properties.
Private Native Forestry (PNF)
Private Native Forestry, or Farm Forestry, is the sustainable management of native forests on private property for timber production and other values such as biodiversity and Aboriginal values. This can include the harvesting of timber for a variety of products such as flooring, construction timber, power poles, furniture and firewood.
Local Land Services is responsible for private native forestry advice and approvals. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is responsible for compliance and enforcement of private native forestry.
Plant biosecurity
Plant biosecurity includes strategies to manage insect pests and diseases that are a risk to productive crops and native plants.
Local Land Services support producers to fulfil responsibilities to manage insect pests and diseases under Australian biosecurity legislation. We invest resources in plant surveillance activities and education to help identify potential risks from both exotic and industry-identified priority plant pests.
Productive, profitable and sustainable agriculture
The increased productivity and sustainability of our industries occurs through practiced change at the local and farm level. These changes result in improved management strategies, practices, decision making, innovation and adoption of new technologies.
Local Land Services is the frontline NSW government organisation delivering agriculture extension, advisory and capacity building services.
We provide services to producers to increase farm productivity and enhance natural assets and on-ground assistance in preparation for, during and post major business disruptors. We also help connect farmers and advisors with the right research and industry information through our networks.
Travelling stock reserves
When grazing or moving stock around the state, the grazing industry uses a network of parcels of Crown land called Travelling Stock Reserves (TSR). In addition to grazing and moving stock, the TSR network has other values such as biodiversity conservation and Indigenous and European culture and recreation.
There are more than 6,500 TSR on Crown land in NSW, covering an area of around two million hectares.
Local Land Services is responsible for the care, control and management of about 30% of TSR in NSW, covering about 578,000 hectares. We administer permits for moving and grazing stock on public roads and travelling stock reserves.
Our structure
Local Land Services is governed by the Local Land Services Board, comprised of a ministerially appointed Chair and the Chairs of 11 local boards. The Local Land Services Board reports directly to the Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW.
The Chief Executive officer (CEO) is the division head of Local Land Services and is responsible for oversight of the day-to-day management of our business. Local Land Services is made up of 11 regions, with each region led by a General Manager who reports to the local Chair and board, and the Executive Director of Regional Delivery.
Also in the leadership team are policy, statewide programs and business operations. These teams work together driving strategic and operational performance to ensure we achieve the goals outlined in our State Strategic Plan.
Our Board
The Local Land Services Board is responsible for overseeing statewide priorities in line with our State Strategic Plan including:
- implementing a clear accountability framework to deliver the strategy
- determining and approving strategy and policy
- overseeing financial management
- enabling and monitoring regional performance
- monitoring the risk management of Local Land Services
- being accountable to customers, stakeholders and investors
- meeting and monitoring regulatory compliance
- promoting the reputation and benefits of Local Land Services at the state level.
Each region has its own board of local community representatives with a Chair who leads the local board. Local boards are made up of seven members, three elected members and four appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW. One exception exists for the Western Local Land Services Board, which consists of nine members – four members elected, and five members appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW.
Elected board members are voted in by ratepayers of that region in accordance with the Local Land Services Regulation 2014. Board members are appointed or elected for up to four years and paid remuneration and allowances set by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Download the attached Annual Report (PDF) below for Board meeting attendance information.
Our Leaders
Download the attached Annual Report (PDF) below for information on our leaders.
Our customers
117,375
ratepayers
112,045
stock owners
139,716
rateable holdings
347 ha
average property size
50%
live in outer regional areas
13%
born overseas
55 years
average age
72%
male
28% female
44%
with tertiary qualifications
Source: General statistics derived from Australian Bureau of Statistics datasets.
‘Average property size’ excludes the Western region and is derived from our Annual Land and Stock Return data, which is reflective of the broader Local Land Services ratepayer community. Average property size in the Western region is 14,665 ha.