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| Riverina Local Land Services | |
|---|---|
| Name | Riverina Local Land Services |
| Type | Statutory body |
| Jurisdiction | Riverina region, New South Wales, Australia |
| Headquarters | Wagga Wagga |
| Formed | 2014 |
| Parent agency | New South Wales Department of Primary Industries |
Riverina Local Land Services is a statutory regional body responsible for land management, biosecurity, and agricultural advisory services in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. It delivers programs for rural communities across a catchment that includes Wagga Wagga and other towns, coordinating with state and federal agencies, universities, and industry bodies to address pest control, natural resource management, and emergency response. The organisation operates within the legislative framework established by the New South Wales Parliament and intersects with national policies administered by the Australian Government.
Established in 2014 under reforms enacted by the New South Wales Parliament and administered via the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, the agency replaced earlier catchment authorities and advisory services including predecessor bodies such as catchment management authorities and regional farming support units. Early operational history involved coordination with the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, responses to the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season, and drought programs linked to initiatives from the Department of Agriculture. The entity’s development reflected policy debates in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly and programs influenced by research at institutions such as Charles Sturt University, University of Sydney, and CSIRO.
The governance model is specified by legislation enacted by the New South Wales Parliament and overseen in part by the Minister for Agriculture and Western New South Wales. A board appointed under statutory rules liaises with regional directors and offices in centres like Wagga Wagga, reporting operational outcomes to the New South Wales Treasury and coordinating with agencies including the Bureau of Meteorology, NSW Rural Fire Service, and the National Farmers' Federation. Internal divisions mirror functions seen in agencies such as the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, with teams handling biosecurity, natural resources, and advisory services while engaging with research partners like Food & Agriculture Organization-linked programs and tertiary partners such as University of New England and University of Melbourne for applied research.
The organisation provides extension services similar to those offered historically by the Department of Primary Industries (New South Wales), including pest and weed management aligned with protocols used by the Australian Weeds Committee, animal health coordination reflecting frameworks from the World Organisation for Animal Health, and land management advice informed by research at CSIRO and University of Sydney. It administers on-ground projects akin to those run by Landcare Australia and supports emergency animal welfare during events comparable to responses by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and NSW Rural Fire Service. Services include soil and water guidance built on methodologies used by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and extension programs coordinated with industry groups such as the Grains Research and Development Corporation and Meat & Livestock Australia.
Regional initiatives have encompassed invasive species control projects comparable to efforts by the Invasive Species Council and coordinated pest plans used by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Programs addressing salinity and dryland salinity follow models from the National Landcare Program and the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s catchment plans. Drought relief and resilience programs have drawn on funding mechanisms similar to those in the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme and collaborated with charities like The Salvation Army for community support. On-farm innovation projects have partnered with research grants from bodies like the Australian Research Council and implementation partners including other Local Land Services and regional councils such as the Wagga Wagga City Council.
Stakeholder engagement spans collaboration with peak bodies such as the National Farmers' Federation, commodity groups like Grains Research and Development Corporation and Cotton Australia, and environmental NGOs including Landcare Australia and the Nature Conservation Council. Cross-jurisdictional engagement involves the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, state agencies including the NSW Environment Protection Authority, and federal departments such as the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Australia). Research partnerships have involved CSIRO, Charles Sturt University, and the University of New England, while community engagement has drawn on networks like show societies and regional development organisations such as the Riverina Regional Development Board.
Funding streams combine state appropriations from the New South Wales Treasury with competitive grants from federal programs administered by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Australia), project funding from the National Landcare Program, and fee-for-service income generated through contracts with local councils such as Lockhart Shire Council and industry groups like Grains Research and Development Corporation. Budget reporting aligns with financial oversight frameworks used across agencies reporting to the New South Wales Audit Office and the Australian National Audit Office where federal funds are involved. Additional support has historically come from philanthropic sources and community fundraising associated with Landcare networks.
Performance is evaluated through regional outcome measures comparable to those used by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and audited financial and program reports assessed by the New South Wales Audit Office. Impact areas cited include reductions in targeted weed infestations, improved animal biosecurity outcomes in coordination with the World Organisation for Animal Health frameworks, and contributions to regional resilience during drought events like those addressed under national drought programs. Independent assessments and academic studies from institutions such as Charles Sturt University and CSIRO have been used to appraise program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.
Category:Organisations based in New South Wales Category:Agriculture in New South Wales