2020 Local Land Services rates waived

January/February 2020

Land managers across NSW will soon have received their Local Land Services (LLS) rates notices in the mail with a welcome number appearing on each notice – zero.

Rates are a vital source of income for LLS—supporting the organisation’s biosecurity, emergency response and animal health work across NSW. In 2020 LLS rates will not be payable by land managers, with funding to pass to LLS through the NSW Government’s Drought Relief Package. This will ensure LLS can continue to deliver the services normally funded by rates.

The work of the LLS team includes:

• supporting land managers 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
• managing travelling stock reserves.

South East General Manager, Anthony Marshall, said that the services that rates support are an essential part of a secure and productive landscape.

“The work of our biosecurity officers and district vets is essential for our region’s agricultural industry and wider landscape health, particularly when the land itself is struggling through drought and fires,” Anthony said.

“The relief provided to payment of LLS rates will still mean that land managers will have access to the technical experts, training and programs to help them manage their land and meet legal obligations.

“The rates waiver will allow us deliver both some much needed relief and a comprehensive service to land managers at this really tough time.”

For more information visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/annual-rates