1Contact your local office today – or visit www.lhpa.org.au

Services continue at LHPADuring the development phase of Local Land Services, the new regional service delivery model for biosecurity and natural resource management services in NSW, the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities wish to remind ratepayers and the rural community that all LHPA services will continue.

As announced by the NSW Government in early October, Local Land Services will be regionally-based, semi-autonomous, statutory organisations, which are governed by locally elected and skills-based Board members, delivering services for farmers and landowners. The new model will combine services currently delivered by LHPAs, Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and advisory staff of Agriculture NSW and is proposed to commence on 1 January 2014.

Acting CEO, Tim Johnston, said in the interim scheduled livestock health, pest management, stock identification and other programs are continuing to be delivered across all LHPA districts in NSW.

“We encourage ratepayers to make use of the services and skills of our staff who are located in 65 rural offices across NSW,” he said.

Chair of the LHPA State Management Council, Ian Donges, also encouraged ratepayers to continue to engage with their local Board of Directors on local issues and to assist with the development of Local Land Services.

“We are one of the few rural-based organisations dedicated and managed locally and in which local producers do have an influence,” said Mr Donges.

“The Directors are elected locally and represent the interests of the rural community, so it’s important ratepayers continue to utilise that channel to provide feedback on LHPA services and as Local Land Services progresses.

“It is proposed that the Local Land Services regional delivery model will incorporate a similar structure to the current LHPA structure of an overarching governance model, combined with semi-autonomous Boards.”

Landholders are reminded that rates must be paid by the due date.

Information on Local Land Services is available at the NSW Department of Primary Industries website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/locallandservices.

ContentsServices continue at LHPA 1

Feral pig control 2

Message from the GM 3

Group control for fox season 4

Contact your local office 4

Now is the time for controlling rabbits - see page 3

Landholders are reminded that rates must be paid by the due date.

If you are having difficulty paying your rates in full by the due date, I encourage you to contact one of the South East LHPA Customer Service Officers to discuss your options.

Entering into a payment plan enables you to pay your rates within the same year they fall due, thereby avoiding monthly interest fees and extra fees if your outstanding debt is referred to debt recovery agents.

Rates payment plans

Customer Service Officers Anne Stewart and Noelene Galvin assisting Cooma landholder Libby Stewart.

Round the traps

JANUARY 2013

2 Contact your local office today – or visit www.lhpa.org.au

Feral pig control step by step Feral pigs continue to be an issue to landholders, causing damage to paddocks and property infrastructure.

For a successful feral pig control program there are a number of steps you should follow:

� Firstly, monitor and find out where the pigs are. This can be done through sightings of the pigs or by the damage that they cause. i.e., digging up and turning over the soil.

� The next step is to free feed the

pigs to get them used to coming back to the one spot all the time. Place fermented grain in the area of the freshest diggings - this can be placed on top of the ground or preferably buried so birds and other wildlife won’t take the grain. Check the grain every couple of days to see if the pigs are taking the free feed.

� Finally, once you have the pigs feeding well i.e., every day or second day, it’s time to decide on how to control them, either through trapping them in a pig trap or poisoning them. With poison there are distance restrictions that must be observed. The operator must also have

completed an AQF3 chemical ticket.

If you opt for trapping the pigs, you will then require someone to destroy them.

If you have feral pig problems please contact your local South East LHPA office - they can advise you on the best method of control.

Feral pigs continue to be a problem in the South East LHPA - follow our step-by-step guide to control feral pigs.

Thanks to the welding skills of our Rangers, the South East LHPA now has a further 10 brand new pig traps available to landholders. Contact your local office for details.

Sheep producers in the South East LHPA now have the latest worm control information, with the district covered by one or more of the NSW WormBoss regions.

View the new standalone WormBoss website at www.wormboss.com.au to see new programs providing a simple ‘what to do and when to do it’ annual plan.

These regional worm control programs integrate grazing management, breeding for worm resistance, when to test and drench, and managing drench resistance into practical, effective and proven on-farm actions.

New Drench Decision Guides for each region provide a day-to-day tool to decide when to drench, what length of protection is warranted and when to next WormTest or review the Drench Decision Guide.

DPI’s custodian of DrenchPlan, Westworm and WormKill, Dr Stephen Love, has been the driving force in creating new WormBoss materials for NSW producers. LHPA vets and parasitologists from across NSW and QLD have also contributed from their extensive local experience.

You can now easily search for drenches at www.wormboss.com.au. Search by worm type and length of protection; by drench group, then

active ingredient; by less important worms and other parasites; or by drench product name.

The most critical thing for your drench choice is knowing the effectiveness of drenches on your property. The WormBoss website provides step-by-step instructions on how to do a DrenchTest each 2–3 years and DrenchCheck in between.

Subscribe for free at www.wormboss.com.au to receive the monthly WormBoss News email with regional worm outlooks, including information from LHPA District Vets, and a feature article on worm control issues.

New WormBoss covers South East LHPA

3Contact your local office today – or visit www.lhpa.org.au

Due to seasonal conditions, rabbit numbers have increased across areas of the South East LHPA. There are a range of control options available and LHPA Rangers are available to assist landholders with control.

Advice can be provided on the release of the Calici Virus (RHD) or baiting with either 1080 or Pindone poison. There has been some comment regarding the effectiveness of calici virus, but some very good results have been found across areas of the South East using this method of control.

In order to be allowed to bait with 1080 or Pindone poison, landholders must be in possession of AQF3 accreditation or have attended and passed one of the LHPA 1080/Pindone training programs.

The three-hour course gives landholders a clear understanding of 1080 and Pindone use and their legal obligations, and has resulted in increased use of 1080 and Pindone baiting to control pest animals, especially by small landholders as part of larger group programs.

This training course doesn’t replace the AQF chemical

application courses, which remain a requirement for use of any other pesticide.

The training course covers topics such as baiting techniques, toxicity, storage, transport, legislation and workplace health and safety. Those completing the course will be issued a certification card and will remain accredited to use 1080 and Pindone poison for five years.

For more information about your legal responsibility to control pest animals on your property, dates for the next training course in your local area or for any assistance in setting up baiting programs contact your local South East LHPA office.

Now is the time for controlling rabbits

At the time of writing this the final draft boundaries of the new Local Land Services have been announced. The draft boundaries for the South East Local Land Services will, in most part, follow the current boundary of the South East LHPA with a northerly extension along the coast up to Wollongong. The South East LHPA along with the CMAs and DPI extension staff are in a phase of transition. I feel that we should look forward to the proposed goals that the Local Land Services have, of a locally based, service focussed organisation.

During 2013 I will be working with LHPA staff to ensure that we maintain all LHPA services and plan for the transition into Local Land Services. We planned for a balanced budget and have delivered this, in light of the Minister’s decision to freeze rates at 2012 levels.

For the 2011/12 financial year the South East LHPA was able to report a small operating surplus - this is the first surplus for some years and shows that the amalgamations and change processes we have previously gone through have been successful, as well as the hard work of all staff in reducing operating expenses.

For landholders in the Braidwood area, you will know our Senior Ranger, Grant Coe, who retired from the LHPA in January after 33 years service. Over that period, Grant has seen many changes, not only within the Braidwood region, but also across the LHPA and its predecessor organisations. I would like to acknowledge Grant’s service to the rural community and wish him all the best for a long and enjoyable retirement.

The staff and I look forward to working and supporting you during 2013 as we transition into Local Land Services. I wish you all a prosperous 2013 and I hope you had a festive and safe Christmas. Regards, Thomas Ross.

Message from the GM

The South East LHPA has a number of cage traps for hire. Traps are available for trapping feral cats, foxes and pigs.

A deposit is required and there is a nominal weekly rental charge to cover renewal and replacement of the traps.

Bait trailers for rabbit baiting larger areas are also available.

If you require assistance or advice on the best method of pest control, trapping or baiting, our rangers will be happy to assist.

Please contact your local LHPA office to discuss further.

Traps available for hire

4 Contact your local office today – or visit www.lhpa.org.au

Contacts

Bega34 Auckland Street (PO Box 16)

BEGA NSW 2550

Ph 02 6492 1283 Fax 02 6492 3516

Bombala106 Maybe Street (PO Box 23)

BOMBALA NSW 2632

Ph 02 6458 3055 Fax 02 6458 3099

BraidwoodCourt House Building

170 Wallace Street (PO Box 97)

BRAIDWOOD NSW 2622

Ph 02 4842 2536 Fax 02 4842 2790

Cooma5 Dawson Street (PO Box 29)

COOMA NSW 2630

Ph 02 6452 1122 Fax 02 6452 4982

Email enquiriesadmin.south.east@lhpa.org.au

Websitewww.lhpa.org.au

To maximise success when baiting foxes, LHPA Rangers are urging landholders to participate in group control programs and to bait at critical times.

Group control programs are the key to success with fox control, as well as any pest animal control, as individual baiting programs have the potential to leave neighbouring properties as sources for re-infestation.

The best time to bait is when foxes are most vulnerable and likely to take bait - during dispersal, breeding and whelping and prior to lambing which generally occurs in late summer to early autumn. This will ensure that as many foxes as possible are culled before the first lamb is born.

Landholders are reminded that there is a requirement to hold either an AQF3 accreditation or have completed an LHPA 1080/Pindone baiting course in order to be given 1080 baits.

LHPA courses are run regularly and anyone interested should contact their local office for details.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR RATES NOTICE

The meat industry levy is collected for the NSW Food Authority. LHPAs do not retain these funds.

The base charge is a uniform charge within an authority, similar to a ‘flag fall’ in a taxi.

The general rate consists of a base charge and an amount payable on the notional carrying capacity of your property*. This funds pest animal programs, TSR management and local administration and service delivery.

The animal health rate consists of a base charge and an amount payable on your notional carrying capacity*. This funds locally delivered livestock health programs and is payable if you told us on your annual land and stock return that you had at least 50 stock units on your property OR if you did not return your land and stock form by the due date.

The pest insect special purpose rate is collected for NSW DPI to cover the cost of plague locust control campaigns. LHPAs do not retain these funds. The pest insect rate includes a flat contribution per rate notice, plus a cents per stock units amount.

NOTE: The rates

and charges amounts shown

left are indicative only. Actual amounts

will vary according to where you live.

The Stock Movement Permit is issued for routine movements of stock between two holdings occupied by the permit holder.

Rates must be paid in full by the due date or interest

will be charged.

2013 RATE NOTICE

*The notional carrying capacity is an estimate, worked out by the local authority, of the number of stock a property would normally carry in an average year if used soley for livestock purposes and is based on stock units per hectare. Refer to the back of your rates notice for further information.

Group control key for the upcoming fox season