LLS cash details hiding in veg regime

Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair says LLS will be fit to act as farmers’ first port of call on clearing regulation, but political opponents and some stakeholders are sceptical, and want details on where the funding will come from and how it will be spent.

LLS took centre stage on Macquarie Street this week as Upper House members debated the landmark reforms into the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The package, designed provide more flexibility on land clearing or farmers while improving biodiversity, is expected to pass Lower House by Friday.

Labor opposes the reforms and the party’s ag spokesman Mick Veitch said they had been presented n a “trust me” approach by Mr Blair.

“(We are) concerned that there is no detail before parliament on the resourcing and expertise required for LLS to take on the responsibility of these controversial reforms,” Mr Veitch said. 

“Government is hanging a large proportion of the work on the LLS hook.

“As such, we must be diligent in ensuring this Parliament provides the tools, resources and support that is required.”

Mr Veitch referenced the 2016-17 state budget when LLS’ operating budget took a $2.3 million funding hit instead of being boosted in readiness for the expected rollout of the new laws.

“It is not a good look when the organisation you are looking to to champion your ideological reforms, is subject to the slash and burn mentality we saw in the last budget,” he said. 

LLS has endured a somewhat rocky road with landholders since the ratepayer body replaced catchment management and livestock health and pest authorities in 2014.

But government hopes LLS’ central role in the new native veg laws will earn farmers’ trust - particularly in the legislation’s transitional phase before the release of the regulatory satellite maps late in 2017.

Mr Blair said an extra $7 million had been allocated to LLS to employ new staff to work on developing the reforms, including the regulatory codes that will govern clearing on private land.

“(We) recognise LLS will need to be adequately resourced to implement these reforms,” Mr Blair said.

FARM groups say landholders have been frustrated by years-long delays in land clearing consultation and believe “considerable” additional resources will be needed for Local Land Services if this is to be averted in the future. 

Government’s native veg reforms, which were expected to pass NSW parliament by Friday, have placed ratepayer body LLS front and centre as farmers’ first contact for clearing regulation. 

But NSW Farmers president Derek Schoen said more cash and staff would be needed within each LLS office for landholders to take full advantage of the reforms and the new flexibility they provided. 

”Our research and surveys show that landholder experience with dealing with LLS and previous authorities under the Native Vegetation Act was often delayed – sometimes between two to five years or more,” Mr Schoen said. 

“Delays experienced were largely a result of the staff resources that were made available in individual regions. 

“Many landholders and communities have high expectations in terms of re-building the trust between government and land managers that this reform needs to signify.”

Mr Schoen said a recommendation from the independent biodiversity panel in 2014 was for government to ensure that adequate funding was provided for the refoms, and that LLS (and local councils) have the appropriate skills and adequate resources to implement the proposed model.