Local Land Services structure and people

Our governance structure

Local Land Services (LLS) is made up of 11 regions, each with its own board of local community representatives. LLS is governed by the Local Land Services Board, comprised of a Ministerially-appointed chair and the chairs of 11 local boards. 

The relationship between the Local Land Services Board, local Boards and management is important to ensure that LLS works within the same vision and objectives. 

These relationships are founded on a clear and mutual understanding of our roles and accountabilities. This means we can respect each other’s responsibilities, contributions and expectations and we share relevant and timely information. 

• Executive Director, Policy – Jacqueline Tracey

• Executive Director, Business Operations – Kyleah Hayes

• Chief Financial Officer – Matt Walker

• Director, Statewide Programs – Gary Rodda.

Meet our executive team

Our directors coordinate strategy and policy, and lead the delivery of our business enabling services. 

• Director, ICT and Solutions – Robyn Silk
• Director, Policy and Reform – Liam Hogg
• Director, Strategy, Performance and Governance – Sue-Anne Nicol.

The general managers in each region lead their staff to deliver local, on-ground results. 

• General manager, Central West – Andrew Mulligan
• General manager, Central Tablelands – Ian Shepherd
• General manager, Hunter – Brett Miners
• General manager, Greater Sydney – Sharon Elliott
• General manager, North West – James Hutchinson-Smith
• General manager, Northern Tablelands – Paul Hutchings
• General manager, North Coast – Louise Orr
• General manager, Murray – Patrick Westwood
• General manager, Riverina – Ray Willis
• General manager, South East – Luke Pope
• General manager, Western – Erlina St Vincent. 

Our Local Land Services Board Chair

Our Local Land Services Chair is responsible for the leadership of the statewide Board and is appointed by the Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW. 

Tess Herbert 

Tess Herbert was appointed to Board Chair of Local Land Services in July 2024. She brings to the position more than 30 years’ combined experience in the Australian red meat industry in agricultural policy, research and development, and in marketing and governance.

A former Central Tablelands LLS Board member, Tess holds a Masters in Agribusiness from the University of Melbourne (2020) and has extensive committee experience, including her current work as a non-executive director of Meat and Livestock Australia and the Grains Industry Sustainability Framework Governance Council independent chair. 

Tess has supported the strategic planning of national and local strategies, such as the Meat Industry Strategic Plan, the Australian Lot Feeders Association Strategic Plan, the Animal Health Australia Strategic Plan and the Central Tablelands Local Land Services Strategic Plan.

She also is a member of the Australian Lot Feeders Association, Cattle Australia, NSW Farmers Association, Grain Growers, as well as a graduate and member of Australian Institute of Company Directors and a graduate and fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation.

Tess, with her husband Andrew, runs a property outside Eugowra. 

Our Local Land Services Board

The LLS Board reports directly to the Minister for Agriculture and is responsible for oversight of LLS’ strategy and governance. This includes ensuring LLS’ service delivery priorities are aligned with NSW Government priorities. 

All decisions relating to the functions of LLS are to be made by or under the authority of the LLS Board.

The LLS Board has the following functions: 

Our local boards

In each of our 11 regions, a board of local community representatives works closely with landholders and their communities to identify and deliver services relevant to local needs.

The local boards identify regional priorities, monitor the region’s performance locally and consult and engage with the community when developing plans, programs and services. 

Local boards consist of 7 members - 3 members elected and 4 members appointed by the Minister for Agriculture, with the exception of the Western region, which has 5 ministerially appointed members and 4 elected members.

Each local board consists of a chair and board members with relevant skills, knowledge and experience. The local boards report to the LLS Board, which is made up of each of the chairs of local boards, plus the ministerially appointed LLS Board Chair. 

LLS Boards and Committees Review

A review of the Local Land Services boards and committees was undertaken in 2023 by an independent consultant, Renata Brooks. The review was requested by Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty.

The focus of the review was on the nature of the LLS board and committee structures and how they operate. It was not a performance review or a review of the Local Land Services Act 2013.

Read the review