A scheduled increase in Local Land Services rates has contributed to the recruitment of two new staff in the Murray region.
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District Veterinarian Eve Hall, in Albury, and Biosecurity Officer Claire Hockley, in Holbrook, began work with Murray Local Land Services in late 2017.
General Manager, Gary Rodda, said their employment was a direct response to community feedback and an outcome of the scheduled increase in rates.
“Customers told us they wanted to see more staff on the ground, and over the past few months we have been able to provide that thanks to the scheduled additional revenue,” he said.
Landholders across the Murray will soon receive their Local Land Services rates notices and will notice a rise of $35 per year in the general base rate, plus a three per cent increase in the variable rates. The base rate increase will standardise that component across NSW.
Work supported by rates includes:
• supporting landholders to control pests and meet their legal obligations
• our vets’ animal health programs
• our biosecurity and surveillance programs, which limit and prevent pest and disease incursions
• supporting agriculture and animals during emergencies
• supporting stock identification and traceability systems
“The work of our biosecurity officers and district vets is essential for our region’s agricultural industry and wider landscape health,” Mr Rodda said.
“By paying rates, all landholders have access to technical experts, training and programs to help them manage their land and meet legal obligations.
“Our work in supporting traceability systems such as the national livestock identification system means markets remain confident in our ‘clean and green’ reputation.
“The rate increase means we can continue to protect NSW from biosecurity threats, help communities during emergencies and keep markets open for NSW produce,” he said.
For more information visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/annual-rates