During the past few weeks Central West Local Land Services has hosted information sessions to explain new clearing codes under the Native Vegetation Act. 

About 260 landholders, clearing contractors and agribusiness consultants attended the workshops at Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Nyngan, Forbes, Condobolin and Dubbo. The workshops were aimed at dispelling myths, identifying opportunities for development and providing technical support through the legislation. 

Mr Nicholls was very pleased with the interest from the community and interaction with staff. 

“There was excellent participation from all who attended and an overwhelmingly positive tone,” he said. 

“There is a lot of misinterpretation and misinformation in the community about what can be done under the current legislation. 

“Hopefully the information sessions are a step towards clearing up these misconceptions. 

“It was encouraging to see such great participation from everyone.” 

Many landholders took the opportunity to talk to Local Land Services staff about their native vegetation management options. 

“The opportunity to answer individual questions over a coffee gave many landholders the information they needed, while the wider forum looked at the big picture issues,” Mr Nicholls said. 

“We have had many follow-up enquiries from interested landholders.” 

Local Land Services also used the opportunity to update landholders on the current locust campaign and remind people to report any locust activity. 

To find out more about the new native vegetation codes, visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/centralwest.