Rural Lands Protection Board (RLPB) ratepayers now have an opportunity to have their say on the recommendations of an independent review of the RLPB rating system.

Written submissions must be received by September 14.

The review is about ensuring our RLPB system is underpinned by a fair and effective rating structure that allows the State’s 47 RLPBs to continue delivering important animal health, pest animal and resource management services.

RLPBs play an important role. We have in excess of 130,000 RLPB ratepayers across NSW who deserve a simple system for determining the rates they pay to their local RLPB.

For example, there are considerable differences in minimal rateable areas between boards.

Some boards charge rates on lots of 10 hectares while for others, the minimum rateable area is four hectares.

Headed by former National Party MP, Richard Bull, the review identifies both strengths and discrepancies within the current rating structure - especially for smaller lot landholders - and proposes solutions that inject some fairness into the system.

The review is available to download at http://www.rlpb.org.au

Send your submission to

RLPB State Council,
Locked Bag 21,
Orange, NSW, 2800

Or email rlpbsc@rlpb.org.au  

Biosecurity strategy

The Iemma Government has released its Biosecurity Strategy.

The document is a guide to the State Government’s management of biosecurity risks, aimed at protecting our economy, environment and public health.

Within this document we have highlighted our key biological risks and problems such as FMD and Avian Influenza.

The strategy identifies methods to prevent the entry of such threats into NSW and to contain and eradicate biosecurity threats before they become established and spread.

It also identifies techniques to effectively manage biological problems to minimise their impact on NSW.

Given the recent case of FMD in the UK we are all fully aware of the importance of having the highest quality biosecurity in place.

I urge all producers to get hold of the strategy and see for themselves the risks we face and the measures we have in place to combat any outbreak.