Standing at the edge of his paddock, a farmer gestures towards the fence line where invasive weeds are creeping in from public land. It’s a familiar battle for many landholders across New South Wales, who spend time and resources managing pests and weeds that don’t respect property boundaries.
To address this challenge, Local Land Services is rolling out the Good Neighbours Program, a $10 million NSW Government initiative aimed at strengthening partnerships and improving pest and weed control where public and private lands meet.
Why It Matters
Over 70% of NSW’s threatened species and endangered ecological communities are impacted by invasive species, making effective pest and weed management essential for protecting biodiversity, maintaining ecological balance, and supporting agricultural productivity.
The program is designed to enhance collaboration, provide targeted training, and coordinate control activities between key stakeholders, ensuring a more effective and unified approach to managing infestations.
Key Objectives
- Strengthening partnerships between private landholders and public land managers to improve pest and weed management across boundaries.
- Coordinating control activities across agencies to tackle infestations in priority areas.
- Building community knowledge of the Biosecurity Act 2015 through education and training.
- Enhancing data sharing and public reporting on pest and weed control efforts.
Program Implementation
Establishing the Framework
Work in 2024 focused on setting up the program’s governance and operational structure, including:
- Developing a governance model
- Establishing a stakeholder reference group
- Conducting an environmental scan
- Undertaking behavioural insights research
- Selecting priority projects
On-Ground Action
From February 2025, on-ground control activities will commence, with Local Land Services engaging directly with landholders and public land managers to implement coordinated pest and weed management efforts.
The program will also boost existing initiatives by aligning with agency-run programs and local projects to maximise impact.
A Unified Effort for a Healthier Landscape
By bringing together public and private land managers, the Good Neighbours Program is fostering a more proactive, coordinated, and sustainable approach to pest and weed management.
With a focus on education, collaboration, and targeted action, the program aims to create healthier landscapes, stronger agricultural systems, and better-protected natural environments across NSW.
The Good Neighbours Program will be delivering biosecurity workshops and events across NSW.
For more visit Local Land Services Good Neighbours Program.
