Landholders across NSW will soon receive their Local Land Services (LLS) rates notices in the mail.
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Rates are a vital source of income for Local Land Services—supporting the organisation’s biosecurity, emergency response and animal health work across NSW.
Rates will increase in 2018 to meet the demand and community expectations for these key services.
Work supported by rates includes:
- supporting landholders to control pest animals and meet their biosecurity obligations • our vets’ animal welfare and 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
- managing travelling stock reserves.
Hunter general manager, Brett Miners said rates are an essential part of a secure and productive landscape.
“The work of our biosecurity officers and district vets is essential to protecting the Hunter’s agricultural industry, worth $400 million annually as well as wider landscape health,” Mr Miners said.
“The national value of agricultural production was $60 billion last year, reinforcing the importance of healthy and productive local economies.
“By paying rates, all landholders have access to technical experts, training and support to help them manage their land and meet their biosecurity obligations.
“Our work in supporting traceability systems such as the national livestock identification system means domestic and international markets remain confident in our ‘clean and green’ reputation.
“The biosecurity and surveillance programs we run limit and prevent the incursions of pests and diseases.” There have been increases in the base and variable rates in a move towards a more consistent and standardised rating structure.
“The rate increase means we can continue to protect NSW from biosecurity threats, help communities during emergencies and keep markets open for NSW produce,” Mr Miners said.
“We can continue to meet community expectations and deliver a comprehensive service to landholders.”
For more information visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/annual-rates