The Sustainable productive landscapes – Western connections project supports land managers across the Western Local Land Services region to:
- adopt sustainable agricultural practices
- protect and improve natural capital on farm
- adapt to a changing climate.
The project assists land managers to collaborate, share and improve their knowledge of landscape processes, condition and trends, and identify constraints and opportunities for managing the region’s agricultural lands more effectively.
Project background
Activities aim to reduce threats to agriculture in the region, which include:
- soil erosion
- knowledge gaps impacting effective farm business management
- insufficient data to support more effective farm business decision making
- climate change, especially changing rainfall patterns
- ineffective grazing and land management practices.
Project objectives
This project aims to protect natural capital, boost productivity, and enhance biodiversity on farms, while preparing for climate change.
The work helps land managers to:
- adapt to shifting market conditions
- access carbon and biodiversity incentives
- implement industry sustainability frameworks.
Project delivery
The project has 4 streams.
Sustainable landscapes
Helping land managers to grow their agricultural productivity, while adopting practical, sustainable natural resource management practices that protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity. Work includes:
- mapping activities on demonstration sites to identify focus areas for landscape function improvement works like
- improving groundcover
- reducing grazing pressure
- wetlands reclamation
- recovering habitat diversity
- helping land managers undertake a natural and physical asset stocktake of their entire property including
- soil
- water
- native vegetation
- biodiversity
- farm infrastructure.
Improving dryland productivity
Reducing wind erosion, improving soil health and increasing dryland agriculture productivity and resilience.
Aboriginal land manager network
Supporting First Nations landholders to share and develop sustainable natural resource management practices that drive agricultural growth.
Data driven decision making
Using data to improve decision-making and adoption of management options that protect natural capital; includes long-term monitoring.
Project timeline
2024–25
- Establish contracts/agreements with participating land managers.
- Mapping activities to identify focus locations for works.
- Establish baseline dataset.
- Carry out skills and knowledge surveys.
- Deliver landholder workshops.
2025–28
- Continue dataset monitoring.
- Carry out skills and knowledge surveys.
- Deliver land manager workshops.
- Run on-farm demonstrations.
- Publish and circulate information products.
- Conduct biannual roadside survey of dryland cropping properties.
- Project close (30 June 2028) and outcomes reporting.
Work underway
- Contracts are being established with delivery partners and contractors.
- Development of project guidelines and application information.
- Identification of demonstration sites.
How to get involved
Landholders can submit an application to be involved in this project. See information about each of the options below.
Submit an application for the Sustainable landscapes
This program will be delivered by an Ecosystem Management Understanding (EMUTM) facilitator and Local Land Services staff. Each participant will engage in a structured program over a 6–12-month period, which includes the following stages:
- Group workshop participation – Kick off the project by participating in a land manager network workshop that introduce the EMUTM principles and framework, establish a baseline understanding, and enable participants to share insights, outcomes and learnings with peer
- Individual property workshops where you will:
- Baseline property assessment – Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your property’s current condition using EMUTM principles.
- Mapping landscape threats – Identify and map processes that threaten landscape health
- Prioritising actions – Determine and map priority actions aimed at improving landscape function for your property.
- Developing project plan – Prepare a property implementation plan that addresses your property’s specific needs, supports ecological sustainability and agricultural productivity, and includes the development of one priority project proposal of your choice
- On-ground implementation – Deliver your chosen priority project through the establishment of an on‑property demonstration site showcasing sustainable management practices (scope of works subject to budget limits).
- Field day participation – Join future field days to share project outcomes, exchange knowledge, and learn from practical demonstrations with other landholders.
The EMUTM approach places land manager knowledge at the core of the process. It is designed to build a deeper understanding of the landscape including:
- its processes
- current condition
- developing patterns across the property.
Through this approach, participants develop practical, on‑ground projects that strengthen both ecological sustainability and agricultural productivity. Participation in the EMUTM process is entirely voluntary, and all information gathered remains confidential and on‑property. The land manager’s firsthand knowledge forms the basis for the assessment, while facilitators support the development of a baseline understanding of the property and help identify priorities for improvement. Read more about the EMUTM approach.
Each year, the program is seeking to engage up to 5 properties per year, with up to 15 participants in total by June 2028. By the end of the program, participating land managers will have increased their capacity to adopt sustainable land management practices through participation in tailored workshops, peer to peer learning and sharing activities, and demonstrating sustainable rangeland management practices on property.
Applications are open from 31 August to 30 September 2026.
If you’re interested in being a participating property, please contact admin.western@lls.nsw.gov.au.
To participate in the Sustainable Landscapes program, applicants must meet all eligibility criteria:
- own, lease, work on or be affiliated with property of a rateable area greater than 40 hectares within the Local Land Services region
- where an applicant is not the owner/lessee of the land, written permission from the owner/lessee will be required to participate in the program and prior to any on ground works. Written permission from the owner/lessee will be required before the EOI application can be approved
- able to commit sufficient time and resources (in-kind) to support program participation throughout the 6–12-month period
- be willing to allow the property to be used by Local Land Services for demonstration sites and promotional purposes, with your consent
- hold or commit to obtain a broadform public liability policy of insurance to the value of at least $10 million covering the land
- hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), unless not entitled to one.
While the Sustainable Landscapes program does not provide direct financial payments to participants, Local Land Services will cover all costs for key program activities, including:
- group workshop: face-to-face group workshop sessions with fellow program participants, facilitated by Local Land Services and EMUTM technical specialist. Multiple representatives from the same property are welcome to attend.
- follow up workshop sessions: one-on-one property visits with EMUTM facilitator and Local Land Services staff
- associated costs: catering, venue hire, and other reasonable expenses for program delivery and participation
- demonstration site implementation costs: oversight of demonstration site such as planning, design, approvals, installation, procurement and coordination of contractors, Aboriginal cultural heritage survey, and any additional materials and equipment as required. The scope of works will be determined by available budget and to ensure equitable distribution between participants.
Ineligible applicants include:
- individuals with outstanding contracts with Local Land Services
- individuals with outstanding debt, including rates, owing to Local Land Services
- properties located outside the Local Land Services Western region.
Program participation
As a participant, your contribution is in-kind support, which means:
- time commitment: attend scheduled workshops, field days and on property site visits as required
- knowledge sharing: respond to calls or requests for information in a timely manner, provide feedback through evaluations, and share your insights during workshops sessions and conversations with program participants
- active involvement: participate fully in all program activities throughout the 6-12 month delivery period.
Months 1–3 Group Workshop Participation | Months 1–6 On‑Property Workshops & Planning | Months 6–12 Demonstration Site Establishment |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Landholder Access Deed Requirement
The landowner will be required to enter into a Landholder Access Deed with Local Land Services. The Deed stipulates the responsibilities of the land manager; Local Land Services and any sub-contractor engaged in activities on the property for the period specified in the Deed. The Deed must be signed by the landowner/authorised land manager, whether an individual or an organisation, prior to participation. If you are not the landowner, you must obtain written consent from the owner before entering into a landholder access agreement.
Services Subcontract
For the demonstration site implementations, Local Land Services will engage a contractor to undertake the works on your property in accordance with an agreed project plan. These works will be fully funded, with no cost to the land manager. If program participants wish to, and have the capacity, skills and equipment to undertake the works themselves, they will be required to follow the Local Land Services procurement process, and if successful, enter into a Services Subcontract (where the subcontractor is the owner or lessee of the site).
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Survey and ICIP
If required, landholders participating in the program must agree to a Cultural Heritage Survey on the project site prior to any on-ground works being undertaken as part of the demonstration site implementation. This survey will be organised by Local Land Services staff and provided at no cost to you. Local Land Services is committed to respectful sharing of information and honours the intellectual property and self-determination rights of all Aboriginal communities and peoples. Knowledge of Aboriginal heritage values will be managed in accordance with Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP) protocols.
Successful program participants will be assessed and approved by the Local Land Services program lead and staff with relevant expertise. All applicants will be notified of the outcome within 10 days of the closing date. If the program receives more applications than available places, eligible applications may be placed on a waitlist. Should the project be undersubscribed, or participants withdraw from the project, projects on the eligibility list may be considered. Local Land Services may strategically target individual landholders/managers during the application period.
If an application is missing information or is incomplete, Local Land Services may, in its sole discretion, work with applicants to clarify any missing or incomplete information. However, assessment will not commence until all the required information is provided and the application is complete.
Applications that meet all eligibility criteria will be assessed against the following criteria:
- willingness to enter a Landholder Access Deed to support program activities
- applicant has a current property plan, strategy, or clearly defined land management goals, or shows a readiness to develop one with support
- demonstrated willingness to contribute time, travel, and access to property to support program activities
- willingness to actively participate in workshops, site visits, and peer learning activities
- distribution of participating landholders across comparable landscape types
Successful applicants will be required to enter into a Landholder Access Deed with Local Land Services.
Unsuccessful Applicants will be notified of the outcome and provided an opportunity for feedback by Local Land Services. Applicants are encouraged to resubmit updated applications based on the feedback provided however, an Applicant can only have one successful application.
Government Information (Public Access) Act
Applicants should be aware information submitted in applications and all related correspondence, attachments and other documents may be made publicly available under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW). Information that is deemed to be commercially sensitive will be withheld.
The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) makes government information accessible to the public by:
- requiring government agencies to make certain sorts of information freely available
- encouraging government agencies to release as much other information as possible
- giving the public an enforceable right to make access applications for government information
- restricting access to information only when there is an overriding public interest against disclosure.
Complaints
Any concerns about the Sustainable Landscapes program should be submitted in writing to:
- Silvana Keating: Manager of Landscapes and Agriculture Services
Email: silvana.keating@lls.nsw.gov.au
If you do not agree with the way Local Land Services has handled the issue, you may wish to contact the NSW Ombudsman.
Conflict of interest
Non-professional relationships such as immediate family relationships, close friendships or business relationships with Local Land Services staff or board members may be perceived as a conflict of interest. All applicants will be required to complete a Conflict of Interest (COI) Declaration in their application form.
The COI will be assessed by Local Land Services, to determine the best approach to managing a real or perceived conflict of interest.
Where a COI detrimental to the assessment process is identified, mitigation measures must be put in place, or an individual may be asked not to participate in the application, assessment or delivery stage of the process.
If you are concerned that a perceived conflict of interest may impact on your application, please contact the project coordinator via email: annie.smith@lls.nsw.gov.au or by calling Local Land Services via 1300 795 299.
Disclaimer
The Department does not guarantee or warrant and accepts no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained in this publication. Information in this publication is provided as general information only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a qualified professional.
The Department recommends that users exercise care and use their own skill and judgment in using information from this publication and that users carefully evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness, and relevance of such information. Users should take steps to independently verify the information in this publication and, where appropriate, seek professional advice.
Assistance provided through the Program is subject to funds being available. The Department reserves the right to make changes to the Program to ensure it meets the objectives outlined in these guidelines and provides equitable support to applicants.
In extenuating circumstances, applications submitted after the deadline may be accepted at the sole discretion of the Department.
These guidelines are subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the Department.
Join the Aboriginal land manager network
The Aboriginal land manager network (ALMN) brings together Aboriginal land managers and owners to share traditional knowledge and modern land management to care for Country, strengthen cultural connections, and build sustainable agricultural and natural resource management skills.
By joining the network, you will:
- get access to workshops and training
- have on-Country site visits to talk about your goals and how we can help
- be able to share knowledge and culture with other Aboriginal land managers
- learn how Local Land Services can assist with agriculture production, biosecurity and natural resource management
- work together to keep Country strong for future generations.
To apply, complete the online expression of interest form.
For more information, contact admin.western@lls.nsw.gov.au.
You are eligible to apply if you:
- are Aboriginal
- own, manage, or work on land over 40 hectares in the Western Local Land Services region
- have an ABN (or are exempt)
- have no outstanding debts with Local Land Services.
Eligible organisations include:
- Local Aboriginal Land Councils
- Native Title groups
- Aboriginal organisations or cooperatives.
If you are unsure if you are eligible, please contact our team.
Participation in the program is completely free with no out-of-pocket costs. Local Land Services will cover all program expenses, including workshops, catering and accommodation costs. Please note: the program does not offer any direct financial support for participants.
- Your time and involvement in meetings and site visits.
- Involvement in an annual workshop.
- Be open to share your ideas and knowledge with others.
- Work with Local Land Services staff to develop property plans.
- Sign a Landholder Access Deed (explains roles and responsibilities).
Find out what's happening in the Western region
Get the latest news, seasonal advice, and project updates or be the first to hear about upcoming events.
- Subscribe to the Regional Update.
- Follow Local Land Services Western on Facebook.
- View our events page to see what's happening near you.
Funding and partnerships
Our key delivery partners are:
- land and livestock managers
- agricultural consultants
- Ecosystem Management Understanding (EMUTM) facilitators
- farming systems groups
- Aboriginal Land Councils
- Aboriginal Community Advisory Groups.
This project is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and delivered by Western Local Land Services, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. All outcomes for this project are recorded in MERIT.
Enquiries direct to the Sustainable productive landscapes project team can be made by emailing admin.western@lls.nsw.gov.au or phoning 1300 795 299.
Contact Local Land Services NSW
We welcome your enquiries, feedback and comments. Contact our team
Use the search function to find information or resources from Local Land Services.