Hunter Every Bit Counts (EBC) Self-Assessment Tool
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Thanks for completing the Self Assessment Tool. Below are your customised results, with resources and actions to pursue.
People and Planning
| Actions | Next steps |
|---|---|
| Improve connection and involvement with local groups like Landcare to find information and advice about land management. | Find your local Landcare group contacts |
| Contact Hunter LLS to find out about webinars, field days or workshops that are happening in my local area. | |
| Follow Hunter LLS on social media for updates on what’s on. | Check out the Hunter LLS Facebook Page |
| Sign up to the Blockies Bootcamp newsletter to find out about property planning workshops through the Hunter LLS. | |
| Get to know the neighbours, let them know when you are undertaking an activity which may affect them (e.g. pest control, burning off). | Store neighbour's phone numbers somewhere handy Find out when to notify your neighbours if you want to undertake a burn Find out how to notify your neighbours if you want to undertake a pest control program. |
Develop a property map. Use an aerial or satellite photo to add features and future plans. Your property map can be developed as part of your Property Management Plan. | Check out the Every Bit Counts Quick Guide to Property Planning Check out sixmaps for satellite imagery |
| Know your obligations and responsibilities as a small landholder. Read the summary from small landholders in the Hunter Small Landholder Guide. | Check out the Hunter Small Property Landholder Guide Read the vegetation codes and Local Land Services Act, NSW Biosecurity Act 2015, NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act |
| Find out more about Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in your area. Research your local Aboriginal Nation or talk to Hunter LLS about cultural awareness training. | Find up to date information on the Local Land Services Aboriginal Communities page |
| Find out more about Cultural Heritage, Aboriginal and European - responsibilities and legislation. | Check out the section on Cultural Heritage in the Rural Living Handbook |
| You seem to be on top of things in this topic! No suggestions... | |
Farm Safety and Emergencies
| Actions | Next steps |
|---|---|
| Find contact numbers for emergency services (triple zero, NSW police, NSW SES, bushfire emergency). | Emergency Phone Numbers NSW |
| Find a first aid course near you and/or equipment. | There are multiple providers of first aid equipment and training. Try St John’s, TAFE NSW and Red Cross. |
Complete your 5-minute Bushfire Survival Plan. Complete your Farm Flood Readiness Kit | |
| Get advice on how to reduce bushfire risk to your property. | |
| Arrange for friends or neighbours to be responsible for the welfare of your animals while you are absent from the property. | |
Check:
| Local Government Contacts |
| Complete the farm safety self-assessment to identify where you are doing well and where you need to improve. | Farm Safety |
Find out more about:
| |
| Check out what you need for your Farm Biosecurity Plan if you have livestock | Northern Tablelands LLS Farm Biosecurity Plan |
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Biosecurity
| Actions | Next steps |
|---|---|
| Find out more about Plant, Animal and Pest/Disease biosecurity in the Hunter region and what it means for small landholders. | |
| Get help to identify weeds on your property. | Check NSW DPI’s Weedwise Tool and Weed Control Handbook for tips on identification and management. |
Understand my legal obligations when buying and selling livestock:
| More on the NLIS Watch a short video on theNational Vendor Declaration System. More on buying, selling and moving livestock in NSW (including private sales). Check out the Livestock Section Link to Page |
Understand my legal obligations when transporting stock (including horses), under the National Vendor Declaration Forms or the Transported Stock Statement Understand my obligations with all livestock residing on my property. | |
| Stay up to date with local and regional weeds, pest, and disease information. | Every Bit Counts Connect with the Peri Urban Biosecurity Network |
| Record pest animal activity in your local area and get advice | Download the Feralscan App and know how to use it |
|
Create your own biosecurity kit, tailored to your livestock enterprise or crops. This will help you determine if you have the right licences, registrations and permits. Want more? Have a look at the Farm Biosecurity Action Planner. Want to stand by what you sell? Then apply for the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program. Use the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Farm Biosecurity Template. *Note: having a Farm Biosecurity Plan in place is a requirement for LPA registration. |
Create your own Farm Biosecurity Kit Complete the Farm Biosecurity Action Planner Meat and Livestock Australia Farm Biosecurity Plan |
| Ensure that visitors and any transport know that you are serious about Biosecurity to prevent the spread of disease, pests and weed seed. | Order your farm gate biosecurity sign |
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Water
| Actions | Next steps |
|---|---|
Ensure my property plan identifies:
| Every Bit Counts Quick Guide to Property Planning |
| Get a water test to check for salinity and suitability for domestic purposes or stock use. | Find out about water testing |
| Design stock watering points, waterway access points and water crossings for vehicles and machinery to protect riparian areas and help keep water clean. | Tips for maintaining farm dams Tips for watering system design and watering points (stand alone, in-dam and in-stream) |
| Find tips to be waterwise, manage water through drought and calculate how much water stock require. |
Consult the Rural Living Handbook and Farming Forecaster |
| Undertake the quick Riparian Health Check. | Riparian Health Check |
| Create buffer strips along and around riparian areas such as dams, creeks, wetlands, and lakes. | Information and designs for riparian fencing |
| Find out more about chemical application and chemical safety around riparian areas. | Rural Living Handbook |
| Find out more about harvestable water rights and my obligations and legislative requirements in relation to waterways, irrigation, nutrient runoff, and pollution. |
Information on building farm dams in NSW Rural living handbook |
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Biodiversity
| Actions | Next steps |
|---|---|
| Find out more about biodiversity and why it is important to small landholders. |
More information at the EBC Website Native Vegetation Wildlife |
Search BioNET Atlas to find species lists of:
| NSW Species sightings search Find Threatened and Endangered species lists for your region Find “What Bird is that?” |
| Get involved. Find out more about local wildlife, vegetation, conservation, and protection programs. | Contact Hunter LLS Contact Landcare NSW Contact Land for Wildlife |
| Check how healthy your bushland is with a quick remnant vegetation assessment. | How Healthy is your bushland? |
| Find out more about controlled and appropriate grazing in bushland areas. | Check out Allowable activities for landholders or the Transitional Native Vegetation Regulatory Map |
Start planning a revegetation project to:
| Tips for designing a revegetation project More information in the Rural Property Guide |
| Find contact details for local wildlife rescue and have them on-hand. | |
Find out more about my obligations regarding:
| Read more about native vegetation management |
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Soil
| Actions | Next steps |
|---|---|
| Find out more about soil types, capabilities, and limitations. | Consult the Rural Living Handbook |
| Undertake a soil health assessment to understand the soils on my property. | Basic DIY field soil test For more check out Rapid Assessment of Soil Health (RASH) Manual and accompanying HOW TO videos |
| Find out about soil testing through the Department of Primary Industries. | Contact the NSW DPI Diagnostic and Analytical services |
Find out more about:
| Rural Living Handbook |
| Contact Hunter LLS and local Landcare to sign up for a grazing management or soils workshop. | Contact Hunter LLS and Hunter Region Landcare Network |
| Ensure my property plan map identifies different soil types, areas prone to erosion, and/or any problem areas e.g., sodicity, salinity. | Check out the Every Bit Counts Quick Guide to Property Planning |
| Find out how to assess groundcover and set your targets. | Check out Rapid Assessment of Soil Health (RASH) Manual and video on groundcover assessment |
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Livestock and Grazing
| Actions | Next steps |
|---|---|
Ensure my property plan identifies:
| Check out the Every Bit Counts Quick Guide to Check out the Rural Living Handbook Tips for maintaining farm dams Tips for watering system design and watering |
Develop a grazing plan to estimate and monitor animal feed requirements. Feed animals supplements to balance their diet when required. | Check out the Prograze Grazing Program |
| Maintain and improve all fences and gates where required. | Check out the Rural Living Handbook |
|
Undertake a drought management plan to prepare for drought and understand the feed and water requirements for stock.
Undertake a Fire and Flood plan to protect animals during emergencies. | Tips for managing stock through drought |
| Monitor your livestock to proactively manage animal health at all times. | See info in the Rural Living Handbook Check out DPI NSW Check out the EBC info on livestock |
|
Find out more about animal welfare. Contact number for local LLS district Vet. | Livestock and Poultry |
| Find out if you need a PIC (Property Identification Code). | Apply for a PIC |
| Submit your Annual Land and Stock Return (ALSR). | Lodge my annual return of land and stock |
|
Understand my legal obligations to animal welfare, buying and selling livestock (National Livestock Identification System (NLIS). Check out the Livestock Production Assurance Program (LPA). | What you should know before buying or selling stock on Facebook and Gumtree Find out more about the LPA |
| Find out more about specific requirements for pigs, poultry and bees. | Information about your obligations for different types of livestock including bees |
| Ensure the welfare of animals while absent from the property. | Make arrangements with friends or neighbours. |
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