Ms Hodgkinson, in Gunnedah recently for AgQuip, said the cross-regional team is also working to ensure best outcomes are delivered from the $2.4 million Commonwealth investment in pest management in drought-affected areas.

“The reform to create Local Land Services has transformed the way regional services are delivered in NSW and this new organisation is now really starting to kick goals for farmers and ratepayers,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“While there are 11 Local Land Services regions in NSW, they all share problems and issues which do not respect lines on maps, which is why it is imperative that we take a coordinated approach to tackling these challenges.

“We have established a number of cross-regional teams, which include Chairs, board members and staff, to look at how best to approach addressing these issues.

“Wild dogs are a major problem for many of our livestock industries, which is why the cross-regional team leading the wild dog response has been working to clearly define the role that Local Land Services will play.

“The team has considered the newly launched National Wild Dog Action Plan and will provide recommendations to sharpen the focus of the NSW Wild Dog Strategy to ensure regions adopt a common approach to supporting their local Wild Dog Action Group.

“This team has also been working to ensure the most efficient and effective outcomes for the $2.4 million investment in pest eradication programs as part of the Commonwealth’s drought support measures.”

Ms Hodgkinson said Local Land Services brings together former Livestock Health and Pest Authorities, Catchment Management Authorities and Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) agricultural advisory services.

“One of the strengths of this new model is that it creates a great platform to enable information and skill sharing across different Local Land Services regions and also other agencies, like the DPI,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“The work Local Land Services is doing on pest and wild dog management complements research and State-wide coordination undertaken by the DPI.

Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson, said pests like wild dogs and feral pigs are an ongoing problem for farmers in his region.

“While it’s been a poor season for many of our farmers it’s been a good one for wild dogs, which are increasing in numbers,” Mr Anderson said.

“Any measures we can put in place to ensure a coordinated effort to get on top of wild dogs and drive down those numbers will be warmly welcomed.

“North West Local Land Services is putting $388,000 of Commonwealth pest management funding to good use, rolling out coordinated aerial shooting and baiting programs targeting both feral pigs and wild dogs.”