mmg.com.au

Covering the Goulburn and Murray valleys
FEBRUARY 20, 2013 4:06am

Regional councils want Local Land Service answers

Regional councils are still seeking answers on the proposed formation of Local Land Services, despite questioning three sitting NSW Parliament members earlier this month.

Jerilderie Shire Mayor Terry Hogan said the only assurance councils received at the Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils meeting was that LLS consultation meetings are under way.

One was held in Deniliquin yesterday.

Member for Murray-Darling John Williams, Member for Murrumbidgee Adrian Piccoli and Member for Albury Greg Aplin could provide no further information.

Cr Hogan said the lack of information of the proposed super organisation – which will merge the Department of Primary Industries, Catchment Management Authority and Livestock Health and Pest Authority – is concerning.

‘‘One is issue of most peoples’ minds at the meeting was Local Land Services,’’ he said.

‘‘There are still a lot of unknowns.

‘‘There is a community concensus that there has been a duplication of services, but there is also a concensus that we do not want the services we are getting to be withdrawn or disappear.’’

The Local Land Services proposal was first revealed in October last year.

Since then, it has been revealed at least seven of the eight jobs servicing the region from Deniliquin’s DPI office will be cut.

At least 15 permanent Murray CMA positions from across Deniliquin, Buronga and Albury, which also cover the local area, are also expected to be cut.

The impact the changes will have on research funding and the retention of services and offices is still unknown.

The LLS reference panel is currently conducting consultation meetings throughout NSW.

The meeting yesterday at Deniliquin attracted more then 80 people.

The workshop was led by reference panel chair John Keniry, and Mick Keogh as an independent facilitator.

You can comment on the proposed LLS or find out more information at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/locallandservices.

Greg Aplin, Terry Hogan, Adrian Piccoli, Bernard Curtin and John Williams.


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