RLPB review a positive move for the future

The State Council of Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs) will start the new year with a comprehensive and independent external review of the RLPB system.

Consulting firm IMC has just begun conducting a 20 week review of the organisation with a particular focus on structure, administration and service delivery.

Chairman David Lister said the review provides an objective and transparent process to critically examine the RLPB system and work towards improving its efficiency and effectiveness across the state.

"It has been more than 10 years since a review of this size and scope has been undertaken and is therefore necessary to ensure that we are up to date with best business and governance practices.

"While there have been a number of drivers influencing our decision to initiate this review, our primary objective is to ensure that a comprehensive strategy is put in place to secure the vital benefits of the RLPB system into the future.

"The RLPB response to EI is one such example where the local knowledge and technical expertise of our staff has been crucial to the success of emergency management of this type," he said.

RLPBs provide the frontline public animal health service across NSW and continue to be one of the few rural-based organisations which are directed and managed locally and in which local producers can have an influence.

The core areas of responsibility are animal health, pest animal and insect control, and travelling stock reserves. RLPBs also play a major role in managing stock movement and identification and assisting in natural disaster relief.

David Lister said that while the review was primarily about setting the future direction of the organisation it would also address a number of recent challenges.

"These include an increase in the number of Boards facing difficulties such as budget deficits, higher administrative costs, shifts in land use patterns and the changing expectations of ratepayers.

"In addition Boards have faced a number of external pressures such as the ongoing drought and the increased burden of regulatory compliance. There has also been a rise in the number of minimum ratepayers on smaller holdings who have different needs and expectations," he said.

Boards are evolving to meet the changing needs of the rural and wider community with many already targeting relevant information to smaller landholders. The review will help to develop a more consistent approach in meeting these changing needs.

"It is expected that the recommendations from this review will allow us to carry out the important services we provide to the rural and wider community more efficiently and effectively and increase our relevance to landholders," David Lister said.

The review will run until mid May and upon completion a report will be submitted to the NSW Minister for Primary Industries.