For landholders in Western NSW Autumn 2017 Edition No. 151 ISSN 0314-5352 Technologies tame tough terrain ‘If you fly it over a whole heap The drone came into its own when they By Jamie-Lee Oldfield of trees and go up to 70 to 80 were putting the rams out; Cameron said Livestock Editor metres, you’ll go, “Wow – I can see that they used it to work the large mobs Herald and Weekly Times, Melbourne everything from up there!” All you’ve of ewes towards the rams in the paddock. got to do is hit a stump and break New technology is helping Hay Plains ‘You work the ewes to the rams, and push your leg, and where do you stand woolgrowers to farm smarter and safer. them back to the dam. It’s all done in 6 or 7 The 2017 biennial Peppin-Shaw Ewe then in this kind of country? The minutes, paddock after paddock. If you have Flock Forum, held on 7 and 8 March, drone eliminates that and brings in 20 paddocks, there’s no riding around on a travelled to nine properties over 2 days, extra safety straight away.’ motorbike in 40 °C heat all day’, he said. covering more than 1000 kilometres. At Benilke Station, about 150 kilometres north-west of Hay, Russell and Suzanne Nield are using telemetry water monitoring and drone technology to help run their 7000 Merino ewes on 37,000 hectares. Their son Cameron demonstrated how the drone can be used to find and move sheep, especially in heavily timbered paddocks. ‘It’s not going to replace a motorbike, and it’s not going to replace a person, but it’s a tool and it’s handy: it’s up to your imagination what you want to do with it’, Cameron said.

Top: Cameron Nield of Benilke Pastoral, via , demonstrates mustering of Merinos with a drone during the Peppin-Shaw Ewe Flock Forum in early March; Bottom: Cameron Nield’s drone above a mob of ewes it has successfully returned to the yards following a release to demonstrate drone mustering. Photos by Jamie-Lee Oldfield In this issue What’s the Voluntary Surrender Technologies tame tough terrain page 1 Scheme at Lightning Ridge all What’s the Voluntary Surrender Scheme at Lightning Ridge all about? page 2 about? Staff movements in the Far West Seven Deeds of Agreement were By Joshua Higgs page 3 entered into with landholders and all Group Leader – Property Management Legal Roads Network Project Update were finalised before the end of 2016. Department of Industry – Lands, Dubbo page 3 Completion of the Deeds resulted in the Phone 02 6883 5445 surrender of over 19,500 hectares of land 2017 Hay Peppin-Shaw Ewe Flock Forum done and dusted! that was previously held as Western Lands The Lightning Ridge Voluntary Surrender page 4 Leases. The surrendered land included Scheme (VSS) was set up by the NSW over 800 mining tenures. Autumn lambing Government to meet the 2015–2019 page 5 election commitment of ‘working Surrendered land has been added Larger tail end of weaners seen towards securing landowner interests to the existing Lightning Ridge and this season in Lightning Ridge’. The Scheme’s aim is Surrounding Opal Fields Management page 6 to reduce instances of land-use conflict Reserve. Agriculturally viable land will be subdivided, fenced and made available Landholders get great value out of sheep between opal mining and agriculture in nutrition and breeding workshop the Lightning Ridge area. The VSS is a joint for purchase as leases through a public competitive process; the opal-bearing page 6 project of the Department of Industry – Lands and the NSW Division of Resources ‘ridge land’ will continue to be reserved. Looking to buy feed? Compare prices and Energy. the easy way Land within the Lightning Ridge and page 7 The Scheme started in early March 2016, Surrounding Opal Fields Management with representatives from both agencies Hands-on experience at native plant Reserve is reserved for the following identification workshop holding stakeholder engagement sessions public purposes: Opal Mining and in Lightning Ridge. Various stakeholders page 8 Exploration, Public Access, Tourist Facilities were provided with individual sessions and Services, Accommodation, Heritage NSW malleefowl recovery a step closer during this process, and there was also an Purposes, Public Recreation, Future Public following Buronga and Hillston workshops open community session. page 9 Requirements, Environmental Protection, Western Lands leaseholders located Rural Services and Government Services. Malleefowl in the in Opal Prospecting Areas 1, 2 and 3 The reserve is currently managed by the page 10 were then invited to lodge non-binding Department of Industry – Lands, but in Rangelands paddock restoration near expressions of interest by 30 March 2016 future the Reserve will be managed by a Booligal to participate in the scheme, and these Community Trust and a Management Plan page 10 were assessed by an independent panel. will be developed. Technology helps tackle feral animal The land proposed for surrender was problems then valued by an independent valuer to page 11 determine the market value, and offers were made to the landholders to enter Diversity of Riverina sandhills captured on film into a Deed of Agreement that would surrender their Western Lands Leases. page 12 Pooncarie Field Day Group celebrates a 20-year milestone The Western Newsletter is produced by Riverina Local Land Services with funding assistance from: page 16 »» Western Local Land Services »» NSW Department of Industry – Lands Celebrating the produce of the Western »» Riverina Local Land Services »» NSW Rural Assistance Authority Region »» Murray Local Land Services page 17 © State of through the Department of Industry, Skills, and Regional Development 2017. This work is copyright. You may Western Lands Advisory Council download, display, print and reproduce this material in an unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your own personal use or for communiqué non-commercial use in your organisation. To copy, adapt, publish, distribute, or commercialise any of this publication you will need to to seek page 18 permission from the Editor of the Western Newsletter. The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (April 2017). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services or the user’s independent adviser. p2 Western Newsletter Staff movements in the Far West Chinner started in December last year, By Julie Richards taking on all Western Lands and Crown Senior Natural Resource Management Officer Land functions for the Broken Hill office. NSW Department of Industry – Lands Jody comes with extensive experience Far West Region, Dubbo in natural resources management and valuable local knowledge about her district. We welcome Jody to the Far West – Lands Earlier this year colleagues and friends team and hope she enjoys getting to know took the opportunity to farewell Geoffry her district and the many landholders in her Cullenward, Rangeland Management Officer area and the challenges they face. for the District. Geoffry retired from his position with the Department just If you would like to contact Jody, please call shy of 30 years’ working out of the Broken (08) 8082 5202 or visit the office at NSW Hill office but servicing the vast Wilcannia Government Office Block, 32 Sulphide Street, district, including the townships of Broken Hill. Ivanhoe, Menindee and White Cliffs. Geoffry started his career with the Western Lands Commission in April 1987, and since that time he has seen great changes in regard to legislation, technology and staff. But what stayed the same were the properties and landholders he regularly visited and the relationships and memories he formed, not to mention the flies, weather, floods or bogged cars! With the retirement of Geoffry and the sea-change resignation of Tiff Brown, Rangelands Management Officer for the Broken Hill and Unincorporated Area district, comes a new era at the Broken Top: Geoffry Cullenward; Bottom: Geoffry Cullenward dealt with plenty of bogged cars in his nearly Hill Office. Local Broken Hill resident Jody 30 years with the Department. Photos supplied by Department of Industry – Lands Legal Roads Network Project Update The roads that the project has started expect that within the coming week this

By Maurice Cenzato working on within the fourth plan are plan will be lodged at Land and Property Senior Property Management Officer Wilby Wilby Rd, Narran Lake Rd, Kurrajong Information for registration. Department of Industry – Lands (Far West) Rd, Gingie Rd and Kia Ora Rd. Landholders The team has also lodged at Land and Phone (02) 6883 5400 whose primary access is via these roads Property Information the dealings to close should have received, or will soon receive, the previously dedicated Western Division paperwork outlining the actions they The Legal Roads Network team has Roads in the shires of Bourke and Cobar. now drawn up 65 plans identifying need to take to ensure that they have legal over 14,134 kilometres of shire road access. It is essential that landholders who In the coming months the team will start and 2527 kilometres of restricted have not returned their paperwork do so the administration process to dedicate easements to landlocked properties in as soon as possible to ensure that their the identified Legal Roads Network roads the Western Division. requirements for access are addressed. and close the Western Division Roads within Wentworth Shire and residual The team has started preparing the Within the Wentworth Shire, the team parts of Cobar. fourth roads plan within Walgett Shire, has prepared the second-last roads and the second plan was recently lodged plan, representing the following If you have any inquiries regarding this at Land and Property Information NSW roads: Anabranch Mail Rd, Milpara Rd, project please contact the Department of for registration. The roads subject to the Tooperoopna Rd, Lagoon Rd, West Rd, Industry – Lands Far West office on recent plan lodgement are Burranbaa Rd, Wentworth Boat Ramp Rd, Log Bridge 02 6883 5400 or via email at Ridge Rd, Bonanza Rd and Angledool Rd. Rd, Loop Rd and Perry Sand Hills Rd. We [email protected]

Western Newsletter p3 2017 Hay Peppin-Shaw Ewe Flock Forum done and dusted!

owned by Australian Food and Fibre, On the local back road to the next By Annabel Lugsdin before heading down south to view property, participants viewed a mob Secretary, Peppin-Shaw Riverina Ewe the McCrabbs’ commercial ewes at the of goats caught in a trap yard, as well Flock Forum Avenel Merino Stud. as a solar bore used for stock watering, before arriving at the Nields’ family A delicious smorgasbord lunch at the Following on the back of an excellent property ‘Benilke’. There they had lunch Wanganella Hall included a presentation spring with continuing high wool and in the woolshed and inspected the by Bayer on the new farm management meat prices, the 2017 biennial Peppin- house desalination plant, and afterwards app AgriWebb. The final stop for the day Shaw Ewe Flock Forum, held early in it was a short trip to the yards to inspect March, was always going to go well. Nine was the Lugsdins’ property ‘Warrendale’ the Benilke ewes. local properties from varying backgrounds near Gunbar, where the use of electronic tags and a wand was discussed during Cameron Nield also put on a very – both corporate and family – displayed entertaining display of some skilled well-grown young Merino ewes. A variety the sheep inspection. A social evening at the Waradgery Club, featuring a viewing drone mustering to bring sheep that of discussions in the yards and on the were out of view back to the yards. The tour bus covering breeding and pastoral of the drone footage collected at the property visits, concluded the day. final stop for the bus was to inspect the management made the event not only large mob of young ewes that Tupra informative but also entertaining for On the second day, Wednesday, the bus had on display in the recently built yards participants and exhibitors alike. headed north-east of Booligal to the at ‘Nandum’, owned by the McLachlan Over 1000 kilometres were travelled Vaggs’ family property ‘Furlong’. With family. At each stop the assessors made across the plains during the 2-day forum. Allan Vagg entertaining participants comments on the sheep in the yards The first stop on the Tuesday morning with his bush poetry skills to pass some after the landholder presentations. The was the inspection of the Wyvern young time, the bus returned to Booligal and assessors were Courtney Sutherland ewes at the new woolshed owned by then headed west. The Turner family put from Wagin in Western , who the Field family. This was followed by a on display their young ewes and newly covered the wool, and Jarrod Slattery drone display by experienced operator renovated woolshed at Woorandara, west from Landmark in Wagga, who discussed Ben Watts. Ben had on display several of Booligal. Next followed a quick stop the meat attributes. drone models for participants to view at the Morphett family’s 103-year-old For further information on the Forum visit and operate, and he discussed the Alma woolshed before we moved on the website at www.peppinshaw.com.au or roles of different drones as tools to to the Dowlings’ property ‘Merritop’. The contact the Secretary, Annabel Lugsdin, on help large-scale farmers. The bus next Dowlings’ young ewes were displayed in a 0428 539 167. moved to the Mulberrygong woolshed new set of yards near a bore towards the to inspect the Burrabogie young ewes back end of the property.

Drone footage of the Furlong woolshed and yards during the recent Peppin-Shaw Ewe Flock Forum. Photo by Richard Snashall

p4 Western Newsletter Autumn lambing Alternatively, this can be mixed with the recommend starting at 100 grams per

By Liz Braddon grain at 1.5%. Protein and magnesium head per day and increasing this every Team Leader become important as the ewes start to third day by another 100 grams, provided Animal Biosecurity and Welfare lactate. Adding Causmag to the lime will there are no problems in the mob (e.g. Regional Veterinarian take care of the magnesium. scouring, lameness or ill thrift). Keep going Riverina Local Land Services, Young Supplying protein is not as simple. Dry until you reach your required feeding level. feed will be lacking in protein. High [email protected] Lupins are the safest to feed out, followed levels of protein can be found in seeds by oats. Grains such as barley, wheat and As autumn approaches, producers need such as lupins and cotton seed, as well as triticale require a slower introduction to to think about their management of in protein meals. Cereal grains will have avoid any issues. autumn-lambing ewes. varying levels of protein. Heavily pregnant, fat or multiple-bearing Animal husbandry jobs such as shearing, Basically, a ewe getting full hand-feeding crutching, vaccinating and drenching would require 50% more than her normal ewes won’t have a lot of room in their need to be done at least 4 weeks before requirements in late pregnancy and up rumens for bulky feeds, so in some cases, lambing to minimise the stress on heavily to 100% more once the lambs are on even if hay or pasture is available, you have pregnant ewes. Doing a worm test before the ground (in lactation). For example, a to increase the amount of grain to provide drenching will help determine whether a fully hand-fed ewe requires 3.5 kilograms a compact, energy-packed feed source. drench is required. of grain a week if no feed is available in the paddock. This means that in A FEW OTHER THINGS Feed is currently scarce in the paddocks, late pregnancy she would need about ■■ There appear to be plenty of foxes so some thought needs to go into the 5 kilograms of grain a week, increasing to around, so start baiting at least 2 nutritional requirements of the ewe. 7 kilograms a week in early lactation. weeks before lambing. A heavily pregnant ewe requires an Obviously, that’s a lot of grain, and luckily ■■ increasing supply of energy as her lamb Don’t forget to give your pre- this year there’s available feed in the lambing vaccinations 4 to 6 weeks or lambs continue to grow. If not enough paddock. So the trick is to estimate how out to get good colostrum for your energy is supplied the ewe will develop much feed value is in the paddock and lambs. pregnancy toxaemia. Treatment of this then supplement the ewe with the rest. condition is generally unsuccessful: ■■ Check the ewes 4 to 6 weeks out for If you estimate that your paddock (or prevention is the only option. internal parasites (worms) by doing supplemented hay) is providing 50%, then a worm test so that you can drench If paddock feed doesn’t contain enough you would need to supplement only half if you need to. energy, supplementary feeding with the grain (e.g. 2.5 kilograms a week in late ■■ Give ewes a sheltered paddock grain is the best option. Ewes need to be pregnancy, rising to 3.5 kilograms a week if possible so they can get some introduced to grain slowly to prevent grain when in lactation). protection if the weather turns cold. poisoning. If the ewe’s main diet is grain or grass based (as opposed to legume based) A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION For more specific advice, call your local she will need extra calcium in the last 4 to Starting sheep on grain requires an district vet at Riverina Local Land Services at 6 weeks of pregnancy. A loose lick of lime introductory phase to avoid grain Hay (6990 1300), (6923 6300), and salt is an easy way to supply calcium. poisoning or other gut upsets. Usually, we (6940 6900) or Young (6381 4799).

Western Newsletter p5 Larger tail end of weaners seen this season to have enough nutrients built into it. up to 10,000 live worms in the stomach By Courtney Simkin Some properties sent their pastures (abomasum) of the sheep. Each worm District Veterinarian or grasses off for feed assessment. The drinks 0.1 millilitres of blood a day, Riverina Local Land Services results were disappointing, with very low giving a potential total daily blood loss Hay metabolisable energy levels: the grasses per animal of 1 litre! Sheep can thus Phone 0427 418 006 were described as ‘green cardboard’. All die from anaemia. The presence of [email protected] of this ‘green cardboard’ has now dried barber’s pole worm can be confirmed out and is offering even less energy. by a simple worm test; test boxes can be collected from your Local Land The wet season has also seen an The beautiful green and wet start to the Services office. season has brought with it a larger tail increase in worm burdens. There end and an increase in weaner losses have been two confirmed diagnoses If you ever have any concerns about across the Hay Plains. There have been of Haemonchus contortus (barber’s your stock, your Local Land Services multiple reports of ‘woody looking’ pole worm) infestation near Hay this District Vets are just a phone call away. weaners and increased mortality. With summer (an event previously unheard We offer free advice and can come out the unseasonal conditions of floods and of), and several suspect cases have also onto your property to help review any high rainfall there was a great-looking been treated. The floodwaters brought concerns. Remember, if something is flush of grass, which, with pasture, grew with them more than just wet feet and concerning you, it’s usually for good at an astounding rate. Unfortunately, lameness. Barber’s pole worms drink reason and it may be something that this meant that the grass grew too fast blood, and in severe cases there can be can be simply rectified. Landholders get great value out of sheep nutrition and breeding workshop A strong turnout of 14 landholders This included discussion around the The workshop focused on giving gained a greater understanding of the influence of nutrition, the importance of landholders insights into how to get the importance of sheep nutrition and a healthy native pasture system, and the best returns from their livestock, and Senior breeding following a workshop held in role of genetic selection in creating a Land Services Officer Mitch Plumbesaid Milparinka recently. productive and efficient enterprise. that those who attended were highly The 1-day workshop, which was held at A key theme from the day was that engaged and found the day very helpful. the Albert Hotel on Thursday 9 March rather than trying to manipulate ‘Workshops that focus on topics like the and was organised in conjunction with the environment to better suit your role genetics play in animal production Meat and Livestock Australia, covered livestock, it’s often easier and more and identifying the traits most important a number of important topics, such economical to breed and select animals to your enterprise are highly valuable as how best to meet your production that are best suited to the environment for all landholders’, said Mitch. ‘We had goals within a rangeland environment. you’re working in. strong interest in the workshop from the time it was announced, and this continued right up to the day itself. ‘Landholders had great interaction with the presenter – Productive Nutrition’s San Jolly – and among themselves. Everyone found this highly valuable, as they were getting first-hand feedback from other producers within the region, along with insights from a renowned private consultant.’ Further information on getting livestock Productive Nutrition’s San Jolly speaking at the sheep nutrition and breeding workshop at advice can be found at Milparinka. Photo by Mitch Plumbe www.western.lls.nsw.gov.au/livestock. p6 Western Newsletter Looking to buy feed? Compare prices the easy way

their stock, they’ll soon be wondering why 3. The results will automatically calculate. By Genevieve Guest the stock are still going backwards. Senior Land Services Officer – Livestock For example, from Sample screen 1, you Crude protein (CP) is a whole other topic, have: Murray Local Land Services, but it, too, can vary a huge amount. Unless ■■ Oats: ME 11.5 and CP 10.5 at $250/tonne Phone 0409 077 254 the ‘normal range’ is above what you need, ■■ Wheat: ME 13.0 and CP 12.0 at $350/tonne a test would be good. To work out which is the cheapest feed to With autumn feeding under way, knowing How do we compare feeds? buy, compare ‘Cost cents per MJ’ and ‘Cost which feed represents the best value (and is $/kg protein’ (see Sample screen 2): not just the cheapest per tonne) can be easier The NSW DPI Drought Feed Calculator app (https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/drought- In this case it would cost (per megajoule of than you might think. To work it out, you’ll feed-calculator/id921986324?mt=8) energy supplied): need to know four things about the feed: is the easiest method I’ve come across so far ■■ Oats = 2.42 cents/MJ ($250/tonne with ■■ cost per tonne landed on the farm for comparing feeds and is available for both an ME of 11.5) ■■ dry matter (DM) Apple and Android users. The NSW DPI Feed ■■ Wheat = 2.99 cents/MJ ($350/tonne with ■■ energy (ME) Cost Calculator is also very easy to use and is an ME of 13.0) ■■ crude protein (CP) (the importance of available on the NSW DPI website at For protein, it would cost (per kg): this depends heavily on the class of animal http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and- you are feeding). livestock/nutrition/costs-and-nutritive- ■■ Oats = $2.65/kilogram protein ($250/ tonne with a CP of 10.5%) (Skip this next bit if you know what DM, ME value/feed-cost-calculator. ■■ Wheat = $3.24/kilogram protein ($350/ and CP are.) The Drought Feed Calculator app uses five tonne with a CP of 12%) ‘tabs’: three for up to three different feed Dry matter (DM) will be presented as What if I’m mixing feeds? a percentage and is normally the easiest types, one for mixing the feeds, and one for to determine, as the ball-park figures are livestock. Note that the livestock tab is just The app will also allow you to mix up to a rough guide and looks only at drought normally predictable. three feeds. In the example in Sample feeding (feeding for maintenance, not screen 3, I have mixed oats and lucerne hay. The only way to know the megajoules production), but you don’t need this tab to You can play around with the percentages of energy per kilogram of DM (ME) compare feeds anyway. and it will warn you if the total is not 100%. is to get the feed tested. Some feeds are To compare two feeds using the app: It will then tell you the total ME and CP, similar across the range, whereas others as well as the cost of both as made up in vary widely. But beware: even the normally 1. Select ‘Feed 1’ on the taskbar and then whatever percentages you choose. predictable feeds can still vary significantly. select the feed type (barley, lucerne hay, Then ask yourself: Is this feed enough for Barley is usually fairly predictable, but this faba beans, etc). whatever I’m feeding? That’s a topic for year I’ve already heard of one crop coming 2. If you don’t have feed test results, use another day. back at a staggeringly low 4 ME (you may the app’s autofilled results. If you have as well feed cardboard) and only 6% protein test results, just select the boxes and (not as bad, but still not enough for most replace the figures with your own. It’s classes of livestock). If someone buys this for that simple (see Sample screen 1).

Sample screen 1, Drought Feed Calculator Sample screen 2, Drought Feed Calculator Sample screen 3, Drought Feed Calculator

Western Newsletter p7 Hands-on experience at native plant identification workshop The final event in the Western These included how to identify native ‘Landholders discussed the varieties of Walkabout native plant plants, the benefits of retaining native native annual and perennial species, identification and management plants on your property, and how their palatability and nutritional value, workshops series has been to manage these plants to benefit and different methods of establishing declared a great success, with productivity. their seeds. landholders gaining valuable During the day, Martin took attendees ‘It was a fabulous networking knowledge about balancing on a paddock walk, which gave opportunity for local landholders to production and sustainability on them valuable hands-on experience engage with each other about the their farms. management principles and practices identifying plants in the field. they implement and exchange ideas.’ Around 20 landholders and interested Senior Land Services Officer Kyra community members converged The workshops were organised by Local Roach believes that attendees learned on Naree Station, via Fords Bridge, Land Services Western Region with some valuable things that they will where Australian Network for Plant support from Western Landcare and the Conservation Project Manager Martin be able to implement on their own NSW Environmental Trust. Driver presented the workshop. properties. For more information regarding Martin, who has spent the past 30 years ‘All the participants took particular plant identification, contact professionally in private enterprise interest in identifying the vegetation your Local Land Services Western and in community projects gaining that was present, and then using Region office. hands-on experience in vegetation their knowledge to implement management, enhancement and management strategies around restoration, used the workshop to focus increasing desirable species on their on a number of key topics. own properties’, said Kyra.

Landholders and community members gained valuable hands-on experience through the paddock walk with Martin Driver. Photo by Jennifer Azevedo

p8 Western Newsletter NSW malleefowl recovery a step closer following Buronga and Hillston workshops

An engaged group of landholders and community members have shown they’re prepared to fight for the long- term sustainability of malleefowl after declaring their interest in being involved in a recovery group. The huge shift forward has come following two workshops that were organised by Local Land Services Western Region. The free workshops, which were held at Buronga on Monday 12 December and Hillston on Wednesday 14 December last year, were both strongly attended, with over 40 landholders and community Milton Lewis has volunteered to head the formation of the NSW malleefowl recovery group and members present over the two events. hopes to build on the positive steps that were taken at the end of last year. Photo by Ronni O’Donnell From the workshops, a community be positive movements in 2017’, said Ms known about malleefowl ecology and member has volunteered to project- O’Donnell. conservation, what monitoring is being manage the establishment of the NSW ‘This is the best possible outcome done, what happens to the data and malleefowl recovery group, with Local from these sessions, with great why the malleefowl is special and worth Land Services Western Region offering interest shown from landowners, the protecting. support where needed. community and government agencies. The community member who has Senior Land Services Officer Ronni ‘It was pleasing that everyone put volunteered to project-manage the O’Donnell hopes that these information the conservation and preservation of NSW malleefowl recovery group is sessions will generate interest, first in malleefowl and their habitat first.’ Milton Lewis, who is employed by Local malleefowl and second in the formation Land Services but will be involved in At the workshops a number of expert of the recovery group. She couldn’t be this project in a volunteer capacity only. speakers gave important background happier with the response so far. information about malleefowl and For further information on malleefowl ‘It was definitely a big step in the right delivered several key messages. These contact your Local Land Services Western direction, and we’re confident there will messages included what is, and is not, Region office. Welcome to all new readers of the Western Newsletter. The Newsletter has been produced over many years by various state agricultural agencies and distributed to landholders in western NSW. With an increased readership distribution, the Newsletter is now also being mailed to landholders in areas other than the far west. If you do not wish to receive the Newsletter or you need to update your details, please complete the following and return it to: Sally Ware, Editor, Western Newsletter, PO Box 21, Hay, NSW 2711 or fax to (02) 6993 3497 or email [email protected]

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Western Newsletter p9 Malleefowl in the Riverina

Donato Environmental Services and tracking collars so we can monitor their By David Kellett the Bland Shire Council. movements. Part two of this project Senior Land Services Officer David Kellett (Riverina Local Land will be to run another trial using Riverina Local Land Services Services), Marc Irvin (OEH) and Brendan the various baits available from our West Wyalong Doyle (RMTech) have recently set up Biosecurity team to work out the best Phone 0428 693 990 a live camera at an active mound baits for maximising fox control at the in the Bland Shire. This project will sites in our area. The malleefowl breeding season may help community members to better Mal Carnegie (LCF) has been taking be winding up, but we have some understand how much work these some amazing photos and video these great projects about to kick off in the amazing birds put in to maintain their past few weeks and has managed to coming months. Riverina Local Land mounds. There will be a link available film several chicks emerging from the on our website in the near future: mound. You can see these at Services have been working on several this is a great way to see what the http://www.lakecowalfoundation. small projects in the Bland Shire to help malleefowl are up to from the comfort org.au/ and https://www.youtube. promote awareness of malleefowl in of your home! com/watch?v=ty8rLMherx4. the region. We have been working with Guy Ballard and Paul Meek (DPI) will If you have malleefowl on your property several landholders and with remote be running a trial using about 50 or know someone who does and you are camera experts RMTech, the Office monitoring cameras to determine interested in finding out more about the of Environment and Heritage (OEH), how many foxes are at one of our malleefowl project, call David Kellett on NSW Department of Primary Industries malleefowl sites. They will then trap 02 6970 1201 or 0428 693 990. (DPI), the Lake Cowal Foundation (LCF), 15 to 20 foxes and fit them with GPS Rangelands paddock restoration near Booligal

By Sally Ware Although many of the seedlings Senior Land Services Officer planted died as a result of excess rain in the spring, Matt is confident that with Riverina Local Land Services, Hay some extra plantings this year in the Phone 0429 307 627 same location, and at other locations, [email protected] the desired result will eventually be achieved. One of the projects on offer in the ‘Over the 10-year period of the 2016–2017 Riverina Local Land Services contract and with managed grazing, Funding Program was the rangelands I’m hoping to have significantly paddock restoration project, supported restored a number of small holding by the National Landcare Programme paddocks around my woolshed, with and Catchment Action NSW. A number the end result being increased plant of landholders, including Matt Headrick biodiversity and increased ground from ‘Round Box’ near Booligal, cover in a previously heavily grazed successfully applied for the funding. area.’ Matt had two small paddocks near This project was one of the first the woolshed that he was keen to see specific rangeland targeted projects restored to perennial native vegetation. to have been run in the area. It’s been ‘Last year we planted old man saltbush encouraging that many landholders in widely spaced rows and with wide have used it for the long-term benefit spacings between each plant with the of their properties’, said Project Matt Headrick from ‘Round Box’ near idea of creating a microenvironment Manager Sally Ware. Booligal in one of his small paddocks near the woolshed that has been recently planted out here on the open plains that will Landholders interested in applying for any to old man saltbush as part of the Riverina encourage other smaller saltbushes rangeland projects on offer should email Local Land Services rangelands paddock and perennial grasses to grow in the Sally at [email protected] or call her restoration project. Photo by Sally Ware sheltered area’, he said. mobile on 0429 307 627. p10 Western Newsletter Technology helps tackle feral animal problems Service and the NSW Department Tupra Pastoral Company in the Riverina By Suzie Holbery of Primary Industries – Water, as part was one of the private holdings Biosecurity Officer of the Nimmie-Caira project in the involved in the program. David Rankin, Riverina Local Land Services, Hay Murrumbidgee region. manager of Tupra station, provided accommodation for the team at the Phone 0427 592 322 We filmed 900 kilometres of flight shearers’ quarters on the property, [email protected] path over 180,000 hectares within the near Oxley. project area, and the imagery collected An aerial survey of 180,000 hectares enabled accurate identification of feral ‘Our company likes to be involved in of south-west NSW has used thermal pigs in this landscape. By using the the aerial shooting program as it’s the imaging technology for the first time helicopter and thermal imaging, we most efficient way to control large to monitor feral pig numbers. also gained access to areas that we numbers of feral pigs’, David said. simply couldn’t reach from the ground, The Western Riverina Pig Program ‘Hundreds of pigs can be culled in a We now have baseline data to track provided such strong data that the matter of hours. We then use a variety the progress of our feral animal control results were used as part of an aerial of ways – including hunting, trapping, programs over the next 2 years. shooting program that culled nearly and baiting – to control the balance 4500 feral pigs late last year. Last November, the results were used and achieve the best result. to guide a 2-week aerial shooting ‘It will be great to see more The program covers 1.3 million program that saw 4416 feral pigs landholders taking up the incentives hectares of the Western, Riverina destroyed by a highly trained Feral offered through the project over the and Murray Local Land Services Animal Aerial Shooting Team using two next 2 years.’ regions and is funded by the Federal helicopters. Government’s 2015–16 three-million- For more information contact The program involved the National dollar Pest and Weed Drought Funding Project Coordinator Suzie Holbery Parks and Wildlife Service and the NSW program. on 0427 592 322. Department of Primary Industries – It’s a joint initiative that also involves Water, as well as private landholders the National Parks and Wildlife who volunteered to take part.

Ron Kocaj from Riverina Local Land Services, who is a member of the highly trained Feral Animal Aerial Shooting Team, resting during a refuelling stop. Photo by Suzie Holbery

Western Newsletter p11 Diversity of Riverina sandhills captured on film Landholders and community groups ‘Zara’, near Wanganella, was the ‘With Martin leading and providing gained valuable information about destination for the paddock walk. The input, we were able to showcase the plant identification at a recent renowned Riverina property has a diversity of the species on the sandhills paddock walk hosted by Riverina Local fenced reserve containing a sandhill at ‘Zara’, as this reserve hosts a full Land Services. community that has been preserved range of plants that are specific to the for a long time. sandhills of the Riverina.’ The paddock walk was filmed and is available to share via Riverina Local The morning was spent viewing a This project is supported by Riverina Land Services’ YouTube page. wide variety of remnant vegetation. Local Land Services through funding The abundance of the species in the from the Australian Government’s Participants experienced hands-on plant reserve in response to the previous National Landcare Programme. identification and presentations by spring rainfall was breathtaking. Australian Network for Plant Conservation The next paddock walk will be held Project Manager Martin Driver. Local Land Services Senior Land in the Booligal wetlands region on Services Officer Sally Ware says that Wednesday 10 May. Martin has extensive experience in because the Western Region of the rangelands vegetation management, If you would like to come along, Riverina has such a low and variable contact Sally Ware at the Hay office enhancement and restoration. rainfall the native vegetation on on 0429 307 627 or at The day began at the properties needs to be identified. Once [email protected]. Royal Mail Hotel for refreshments and it has been identified, steps need to be See flyer on opposite page for a discussion on plant identification, taken to maintain it. further details. the benefits of retaining native plants ‘The informal atmosphere of the day on your property, and management of enabled plenty of discussion, with lots of native plants to benefit productivity. information being exchanged’, Sally said.

Martin Driver speaking to landholders during a paddock walk in the Zara reserve. Photo by Annabel Lugsdin

p12 Western Newsletter An invitation Rangelands paddock walk and drone demonstration Wednesday 10 May with Martin Driver Owner of property ‘Barrabool’, Ecologist and Project Manager with the Australian Network for Plant Conservation Ben Watts Molong landholder, stud Merino breeder and TAFE drone demonstration teacher 9.00am – meet at Booligal Hotel Stop 1 – wetlands near Booligal Stop 2 – lunch at Booligal Hotel Stop 3 – drone demonstration at Tom’s Lake

Landholders are encouraged to bring plants to be identified Morning tea, lunch and drinks supplied

RSVP Thursday 4 May to Sally Ware 0429 307 627 or [email protected] Help secure your future with the Farm Innovation Fund The Rural Assistance Authority’s Farm Innovation Fund is an incentive-based initiative to help NSW farmers improve their permanent farm infrastructure, identify and address risks to their farming enterprises, and ensure long-term productivity and sustainable land use. Help is in the form of concessional interest rate loans of up to $250,000 to meet the cost of carrying out permanent capital works that will have a significant beneficial impact on the land and the long-term profitability of the enterprise and will address adverse seasonal conditions. Such works fall into four main categories: Farm Infrastructure, Drought Preparedness, Environment and Natural Resources. For further details about the Farm Innovation Fund contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on Freecall 1800 678 593 or visit http://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/farm-innovation-fund NSW Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program The Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program is an initiative of the NSW Government that is helping primary producers to better manage their businesses. The program provides access to professional development opportunities, particularly in the areas of financial management and managing on-farm risk. Individual primary producers can access up to $5,000 to help them build their skills, and enterprises can receive up to $9,000. A large range of preapproved courses are now listed on the Rural Assistance Authority’s website. The scheme also allows applicants to seek preapproval to undertake professional development tailored specifically to their enterprises. As an example of how the program can be used, a group of farmers recently met in Bathurst to better understand the relationship between grass, livestock and making money. The farmers were excited to be exposed to new ideas and to be given tools they could immediately use in their businesses. For more information about this fantastic opportunity, visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/professional-development-program or Freecall 1800 678 593.

Praise for the Professional Development Program ‘It was a great step for government – invaluable to have a little support.’ Course participant ‘If we can get a 10% improvement in our business then the course will pay dividends very quickly.’ Course participant ‘You know, back in the old days it was easy to get away with talking to the bank manager and having our finances managed easily, but now we need to understand the financial side of our business. We need to understand the physical side of our business; it’s constantly changing’. Course facilitator

p14 Western Newsletter The Farm Innovation Fund in Action New pipeline offers security to Hay sheep producers

Hay district sheep producers Mark and ‘After 10 years of drought followed by ‘If there are no stock in the paddock Mischelle Schiller are using the Farm two floods, we’re now back in drought we don’t need water; if there are stock Innovation Fund to invest in a pipeline after missing out on an early break to in there, then water is available’, Mark said. and stock-watering system to give the season’, said Mark. their wool-growing enterprise greater ‘It looked good here in April, but there ‘It’s a very reassuring feeling and means water security and minimise wastage has been no follow-up rain. we don’t have to move or sell stock because of a lack of stock water in a through evaporation. ‘We’ve culled 3000 sheep and all our paddock any more. cattle to get through. We’d normally The Schillers run Merinos and Dorpers run about 2500 Merinos and 5000 ‘We can manage our grazing system on ‘Woolamie’, their 12,000-hectare Dorpers, but we’ve reduced our the way it should be managed, without property 50 kilometres west of Hay. carrying capacity to 2500 Dorpers and being disrupted by any stock water 500 Merinos. shortages.’ They’re on river floodplain with a bit of Mark said they’re probably halfway saltbush country and have traditionally ‘At least this time we don’t have to panic as much. With the pipeline, towards setting up their entire stock filled their dams once a year from a stock and domestic water is always watering system. channel scheme off the Murrumbidgee available.’ ‘We thought we’d chip away at it and River. To give themselves greater Mark said the $150,000 Farm do more with tanks and troughs when flexibility and confidence in their water Innovation Fund loan used to the season is a bit better’, he said. supply, the Schillers are putting in a purchase the pipeline and watering 25-kilometre pipeline from the creek to system would more than pay for itself eight farm dams. through improved farm efficiency.

Western Newsletter p15 Pooncarie Field Day Group celebrates a 20-year milestone

The tiny township of Pooncarie, north-east photography, whipcrackin’, dog jumping, doesn’t end at 5 o’clock. We’ll be entertained of Wentworth in NSW, will come alive on shearing and more! by Golden Guitar Nominee Paul Costa the first Saturday in May for its biennial throughout the night’, said Gus Whyte. With the being a hot topic field day. But this year it’s no ordinary field in the district, this year our photography Paul will be playing a mix of old and new day for the Pooncarie Field Day Group: it’s competition theme is ‘Water – the songs from his soon to be released album the vicennial of service to the agricultural essence of life’. So for all those budding “Whisper in the Crowd”. community and a cause for celebration, photographers, be sure to submit your ‘This celebration is for the community – according to the group’s chairman Angus entry on what water in agriculture means (Gus) Whyte. the farmers and organisations that help us to you, be it the river, summer rain, or farm and succeed’, said Gus. ‘Together, over ‘Twenty years of dedication, hard work children and animals playing in the water: the past 20 years, we’ve made a significant and foresight by many individuals and the choices are endless. contribution to the way we farm, and organisations has given us much to A new feature that will be full of surprises this event is about enjoying a day off our celebrate’, said Gus. is the ‘Young Farmers’ Challenge’: there’ll properties and showcasing the features that The event is a friendly family-orientated be exciting competition opportunities make Pooncarie a great place to live and day out and will host a swag of exhibits throughout the day, with cash up for grabs! work’, he said. showcasing the agricultural community, There’s plenty to amuse the kids, including We’re thrilled to promote major sponsors with displays and of course competitions the Bunnings Activity Tent, jumping castles the Wentworth and District Community relevant to the region. and the Rural Fire Service Smoke Tent. Bank Branch – Bendigo Bank, as well as our There’ll be many drawcards this year, Gold sponsors Elders, Markwell Toyota and Along with the fun comes a serious Western Local Land Services. We’re very lucky including climate forecast updates hosted contribution to the event, the popular by popular weather reporter Jane Bunn to have numerous sponsors this year. We Community Health Auction. Our event also invite businesses who would like to be (supported by Wentworth and District supporter, exhibitors and sponsors will involved to support the event. A sponsorship Community Bank – Bendigo Bank). In donate products and services that will go prospectus and exhibitor and livestock addition, we’ve teamed up with Western under the hammer. information forms are now available online. Local Land Services to bring along rural author Fleur McDonald, who is a strong ‘It’s a really fun auction, and everyone gets Publicity officer Nicole Byrnes said, ‘The voice for Australian agriculture and one of involved because we know that all the organisers are thrilled to promote the event, the country’s favourite storytellers. money raised helps support the wonderful which has something for every family health services provided to our township’, wanting a great day out, from novice- to Food and drinks will be available, as said Publicity Officer Nicole Byrnes. champion-level competitions or just a well as opportunities to buy crafts and The Pooncarie Field Days committee wants community catch-up. Bookmark the date handiworks from local producers and to engage and connect with the whole in your calendars and head to the tiny many local businesses, and of course the community. township of Pooncarie on Saturday 6 May.’ fun and frivolity of the many competitions for young and old. Get your entries and ‘We may be small, but we know how For more information about the event, visit the nominations in now for activities like bush to have a great time out, and the day group’s website at http://www.pooncariefd.com.au or follow us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/PooncarieFieldDayGroupInc The Pooncarie Field Day Group is a non- profit and independent group formed in 1999 to promote the alternative industries and opportunities and wonderful characters of the Western Division. The group aims to be the leading advocate for the region by putting together the event, which is hosted biennially. In improving both the profitability and sustainability of agricultural production systems and community resilience, the Pooncarie Field Field Day site at Pooncarie race course. Photo by Maureen Duncan Day has become a family favourite day out. p16 Western Newsletter Celebrating the produce of the Western Region

production in our unique rangelands By Fiona Garland environment. Animals grazed on Regional Landcare Facilitator native pastures represent responsible, Local Land Services Western Region sustainable production in a number Phone (02) 6872 2144 of ways. [email protected] First, if grazing is managed well, allowing pastures to rest, it can be used as a tool to help landscapes These days food provenance is a recover, retaining biodiversity in the major concern for many consumers, native grasses of our rangelands and it goes well beyond the old environments. Second, rangeland classifications around ‘organic’, animals benefit from being raised in a ‘healthy’ and even ‘clean and green’. very low-input grazing environment, The power of conscious consumers feeding on naturally occurring pastures to drive markets is now well and truly and requiring little to no chemical recognised. treatments owing to the extensive In Australia and overseas, people nature of the system. Celebrity Chef Matt Golinski will be speaking are interested in knowing that their Third, grazing in rangelands at the Western Landcare Forum dinner in food is healthy and doesn’t contain environments offers a relatively stress- Broken Hill on Friday 4 August 2017. Photo contaminants. When it comes to meat, and cruelty-free existence for both supplied by Matt Golinski people also want to know that it has livestock and non-domestic animals been ethically produced and that the such as kangaroos and rangeland Matt Golinski, who will be speaking at animal has been treated well and led goats. The icing on the cake of this the forum dinner, which will showcase a reasonably happy life. In addition, story involves the land managers regional produce. people are interested in whether the themselves, who often represent hard- Matt is a highly regarded professional environment has been harmed in the working farmers and graziers, intent chef with a passion for creating production of their food. International on leaving the landscape in better cuisine using fresh, seasonal and local campaigns around palm oil production condition than when they started. ingredients. Well known as one of the and its impact on rainforest habitats original team members of the popular are an excellent example of this. The Western Landcare Forum in Broken Hill on 4 and 5 August this year will Ready Steady Cook television series, From a marketing point of view, this provide a platform for celebrating Matt is now based on Queensland’s increased awareness means that we the produce and exploring the origin Sunshine Coast. In his role as Food now must go further than explaining stories of Western NSW. Individual and Culinary Tourism Ambassador, the social, environmental and health landholders should leave the forum since 2015 Matt has been helping the credentials of a product. It means with a better understanding of how Gympie Region to promote itself as a telling the ‘origin story’, which traces to market their own businesses and world-class food destination. where products have come from, who produce, but in addition we are hoping Matt was also involved in Beef Australia produced them, and their impact on that there will be a broader vision for 2015, an event that promoted not the Earth. developing the profile of the whole only the benefits of eating different These days food is fashion, food is region in terms of those connections cuts of beef but also the concept connection and food is political. between healthy landscapes and that Australian Beef is a clean, green, Food producers need to become healthy food. sustainable industry and is unique in better salespeople and storytellers if The forum program includes a range the world marketplace. We believe that they want to access a wider range of of interesting speakers, such as Major Matt will bring a wealth of experience markets, both here and overseas. General the Honourable Michael and expertise to the development of ideas for promoting the produce of our Western Local Land Services and Jeffery, AC, AO(Mil), CVO, MC (Retd), unique Western Region. Western Landcare believe that who is the National Soil Ambassador, producers from Western NSW have and Sophie Hansen, the 2016 For more details see the an opportunity to capitalise on the Australian Rural Woman of the Year. The narrative of healthy, sustainable forum will also feature celebrity chef ad on the back page.

Western Newsletter p17 Western Lands Advisory Council communiqué It was recognised from the beginning 8. We are not proud of this anticipated By Geoff Wise that this workshop would be the start outcome; we take no responsibility for Chair of a longer-term collaborative process, it, and we would prefer policies and Western Lands Advisory Council involving a wider cross-section of the government and community support Western Division community. The to allow for managed preventive This communiqué focuses on three WLAC and Local Land Services intend intervention strategies. significant long-term strategic issues to continue this process of working 9. We acknowledge the welfare concerns that the Western Lands Advisory Council together and involving an even wider regarding immature kangaroos or (WLAC) has addressed during the last range of stakeholders in the future to any strategies or actions that result in 12 months, namely sustainability of contribute to the discussions. kangaroos, NSW water policy for the the death of breeding-age females, Barwon–Darling River system, and the Practical and acceptable kangaroo whether naturally or through human Murray–Darling Basin Plan. management is a long-standing and intervention. ongoing issue, and it’s clear that change won’t happen overnight. The WLAC and 10. In the pastoral zone there is a unique Kangaroo forum Local Land Services are committed to situation regarding the grazing pressure impacts of kangaroos on two On the initiative of the WLAC, and with an ongoing process that will cover all other natural resources, namely native enthusiastic support from Western Local perspectives and will foster effective Land Services, a kangaroo management short- and long-term solutions. vegetation and water. Overgrazing workshop was held in Cobar on 5 and can result in significant environmental Points of agreement from the forum. 6 September 2016. The results of the harm to these biodiversity assets. The forum made the following points: workshop are summarised below. A 11. Management intervention strategies 1. Kangaroos of all species are currently number of activities have flowed on from that use kangaroo-proof fencing of in unsustainably high numbers across the workshop, and their details will be watering points, partial- or whole- the Western Division. publicised progressively. property boundaries, or clustering Rationale for the forum. Currently, 2. Decisions, policies and strategies must of properties may have beneficial unsustainably high kangaroo populations be based on evidence and experience outcomes in specific circumstances in areas of the Western Division are (not on philosophy). and locations, but these options are not universally applicable. increasing the pressure on rangeland 3. We need, and must support, a strong ecosystems and pastoral enterprises, with and expanding commercial harvest subsequent negative impacts on rural industry. Impacts of the Barwon– communities. These high population 4. We must aspire to increased value for numbers also create a serious animal Darling water sharing kangaroo meat. welfare issue of mass deaths during dry plan downstream of times from starvation, thirst, disease and 5. We acknowledge that neither road-kill. commercial harvest nor non- Bourke commercial take will have any The WLAC resolved for a delegation to The WLAC recognises the need to effective impact on population meet with NSW Minister for Regional consider a different approach to current control, at least in the foreseeable Water Niall Blair to discuss the non- practices. With this goal in mind, the future. irrigation implications of the Barwon– WLAC approached Local Land Services Darling Water Sharing Plan (WSP) 2012, with the concept of inviting key 6. Maintaining animal welfare and particularly for water use downstream of stakeholders to a discussion forum to ensuring it is practiced are paramount. Bourke. investigate what the current situation was, 7. We anticipate that a huge kangaroo what could be done, and how the various Key issues discussed were: welfare issue is looming with the stakeholders could work better together next long dry (drought) period ■■ the apparent contradictions between to achieve positive outcomes. across the Western Division, as the Objectives of the WSP and Forty-two selected representatives of kangaroos will be left unmanaged the newly introduced operating pastoralists, support agencies, commercial to suffer natural deaths from rules within the WSP for irrigation industry representatives, policy-makers, starvation and/or thirst. The extractions. For example, the regulatory bodies and animal welfare numbers we expect to die will far Objectives of the WSP include: organisations came together with the exceed any currently shot through »» to protect, preserve, maintain and goal of developing a more collaborative harvesting and damage mitigation enhance the important river-flow- and effective way of addressing the issues. strategies. dependent … ecosystems p18 Western Newsletter »» to protect basic landholder rights Our Advisory Council recommended Plan require the basin’s water resources that, in accordance with Clause 52 to be managed in a way that considers »» to contribute to the maintenance of of the WSP, the Minister immediately outcomes for all water users’. water quality introduce Individual Daily Extraction Additionally, relevant legislation and plans »» to contribute to the ‘environmental Limits for all A Class licences to clearly specify the priority of access rights and other public benefit outcomes’ reflect the volumes of water that to surface water. identified under the ‘Water were being extracted under A Access Entitlements and Planning Class licence conditions before the For example, Clause 58 of the NSW Water Framework’ in the Intergovernmental commencement of the 2012 WSP. Management Act 2000 states that: Agreement on a National Water The Minister advised that the most (1) For the purposes of this Act, the following Initiative (2004). appropriate time for these issues to priorities are to be observed in relation to ■■ the changes made between the end be brought forward would be during access licences: of the public consultation period and the public consultation period for the (a) Local water utility access licences, the implementation of the WSP that introduction of the Barwon–Darling Water major utility access licences and have potentially significant impacts on Resource Plan. The initial consultation domestic and stock access licences Basic Rights water users (Town Water period was set to begin in early 2017 and have priority over all other access Supplies and Stock and Domestic is scheduled to close on 31 March 2017. licences. access). Examples include: »» removal of pump size limits for The full transcript of the submission from the different classes of water access, Murray–Darling Basin WLAC is published on the web at https://getinvolved.mdba.gov.au/bp- despite their being no discussion Plan amendments amendments-submissions/documents. on this throughout the public submission consultation process Following a presentation to the WLAC »» introduction of a ‘300% per annum’ by staff from the Murray–Darling Basin extraction availability, despite the Authority (MDBA), the WLAC resolved fact that the discussions covered to write to the MDBA advising that the only the relevance of allowing a WLAC: 450% take over three consecutive ■■ supports the MDBA in protection years of environmental water: i.e. »» expectations as stated in the environmental water from tributaries Background Document to the WSP, must be managed as environmental section 8.4, that ‘Amendments to water throughout the rest of the access rules: Murray–Darling Basin ■■ objects to the protection of irrigation • must not substantially alter long- water rights above other water-use term diversions under A, B and C rights (including stock and domestic Class access licences, rights and town water supply rights), which is contradictory to the NSW • must undergo consultation, and Water Management Act 2000 and Water • must take into account any socio- Sharing Plans. economic impacts, This position taken by the WLAC is simply despite the fact that none of this has to request that the relevant laws and involved engagement with Basic policies be applied as specified. Rights users. An Objective of the Murray–Darling Basin ■■ the apparent failure of Clause 46 (16) Plan is that environmental water must be of the WSP in being able to ‘protect used effectively for its defined purpose, flows needed to meet basic landholder which is defined in theWater Act 2007 rights requirements along the Barwon– as ‘environmental watering means the Darling River’. An example is: delivery or use of environmental water to »» the anticipated timing of the achieve environmental outcomes’. Hence, introduction of Individual Daily environmental water must be protected Extraction Limits, as specified in within tributaries and as it flows from Clause 52 of the WSP, knowing that tributaries into the Barwon–Darling River the Background Document to the system. WSP states that ‘… it is expected The MDBA Basin Plan amendments, that they [Individual Daily Extraction Northern Basin Review document, which Limits] will be in place within the first was released in late 2016, correctly states few years of this plan’s (WSP) term’. that ‘The Water Act 2007 and the Basin

Western Newsletter p19 SATURDAY 6 MAY 2017 POONCARIE RACECOURSE

Calling all Exhibitors Site bookings now open Guest Presenters: Meteorologist Jane Bunn & Rural Author Fleur McDonald Evening Entertainment by Paul Costa Bus available from Mildura/Wentworth: see website for details www.pooncariefd.com.au [email protected] Contact Nerida Healy on 03 5029 5397