Western region local achievement report

Chair foreword

This report provides a snapshot of the work delivered to support landholders, stakeholders and communities in the Western region in 2024. 

Over the year, our team took great strides and delivered important programs, projects and services to support primary production, biosecurity, natural resources, the local environment, Aboriginal communities and more. 

Through major initiatives including the Fencing Biosecure Production Zones and Pest Knockout Grant Program, Feral Pig and Pest Program and the Going Ahead with Goats Project, we provided on-ground support to landholders to boost pest animal control, agricultural production and improve biodiversity. 

We partnered with key organisations such as NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to deliver tenure neutral approach to pest control and biodiversity conservation. 

Additionally, our local staff delivered a range of workshops and other resources including podcast episodes, educational videos and printed materials to increase landholder knowledge and capacity in these areas. 

After celebrating 10 years of LLS at the start of 2024, we look forward to continuing to deliver with our landholders, stakeholders and communities in 2025 and beyond. 

Magnus Aitken 
Chair, Western local boar

Re-snagging works

Native fish, the local environment, landholders and community members are now benefitting following re-snagging works between Louth and Tilpa on the Darling-Baaka River. 

A total of 419 locally sourced bimbil box (Eucalyptus populnea), weighing an estimated 180 tonnes, were re-purposed to create 109 fish habitat complexes. 

Snags are a vital part of a healthy river system and provide important habitat for native fish, who use snags to shelter from predators and currents, as well as to feed and spawn, and as a nursery for juvenile fish. 

The re-snagging works were coordinated by Western Local Land Services, with the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Fisheries and Forestry) contracted to undertake the works, through the NSW Fencing Northern Basin Riverbanks Program. 

The NSW Fencing Northern Basin Riverbanks Program is being delivered by Local Land Services on behalf of the NSW Government under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, with funding from the Australian Government.

Achievements

• 17,160,047 ha of vertebrate pest control
• 417 Aboriginal projects to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage and/or traditional ecological knowledge
• 43 animal disease surveillance investigations
• 11,111 1:1 advice consultations
• 4,784 participants at awareness raising/capacity building events
• 25% of staff trained for an emergency response role
• 800 ha of threatened species or ecological communities enhanced, rehabilitated or protected
• 827,596 ha of land improved for agricultural production
• 1,977 ha of native vegetation (including wetlands/rivers) rehabilitated, protected or enhanced
• 1,701 ha of weed management for improved biosecurity, agricultural productivity, and biodiversity.