LHPAs announce new State Management Council

Eight of the nine new members of the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities State Management Council were announced today.

The new board is made up of six current LHPA directors from around the state and two independent members, all of whom were selected based on merit by the State Policy Council.

State Policy Council chairman, Lawrie Donoghue says he is pleased with the appointment of the new board which marks a final step in the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities’ reform process.

"The new State Management Council has a well-developed and balanced skill set across its members, which will ensure strong guidance and direction for the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities," Mr Donoghue said.

"This skill set includes first-hand experience with livestock health and pest management issues facing landholders in NSW, as well as finance, corporate governance and strategic management expertise.

"I am confident the new board will continue to implement the reforms brought about following the IMC review, and ensure the organisation is working in the interests of landholders across the state."

The new members of the State Management Council are:

• Geoff Davis, director on Western LHPA, a sheep and cattle grazier from Tibooburra
• Hamish Holcombe, director on North West LHPA, a grazier and cereal crop producer from Goondiwindi
• John Stranack, director on Mid Coast LHPA, a former agribusiness company director and consultant from Hallidays Point
• Jim Swales, director on New England LHPA, a sheep and cattle grazier from Uralla
• Peter Wallace, director on Hume LHPA, a former accountant and general manager who now runs a prime lamb and cropping enterprise near Howlong
• Victoria Weekes, director on Cumberland LHPA, a risk management consultant and company director from Sydney
• Prue Bondfield (independent member), a former solicitor and now co-principal of a beef cattle seedstock operation in Dalveen in south-east Queensland
• Ian Donges (independent member), a farmer and grazier from Cowra and former president of the National Farmers Federation

The Minister for Primary Industries will shortly appoint one final member of the State Management Council.

The new board will be in place from 1 January 2010 through to 31 October 2013. The chairman and deputy chairman will be elected at their first meeting in January.

The State Management Council is the governing body of the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities and focuses on organisational policy and strategy, governance, public relations, education, compliance and the provision of services to authorities relating to information technology, finance, payroll and land administration, and works alongside the State Policy Council.

Media contact: Suzie Robinson 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378