As a member of a rural community, you are likely to be caught up in this lifestyle. You will soon realize the importance of being a good neighbor and the value of having good neighbors living near you. The information in The Land is in Your Hands is intended to help you be a good neighbor, caring for your property - and therefore caring for those around you - in a responsible and caring manner.
We hope you find this guide useful and encourage you to seek additional information from the many references found within its pages. From the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia: Jeremy Allen, Marie Bracks-Burns, Peter Davis, Nancye Gannaway, Tom Hollingsworth, Yolandee Jones, Adam Lillicrap, Sandy Lloyd, Marion Massam, Ronnie Newell, Rod Short, Peter Thomson, Dionne Tindale , Bob Vassallo, Marcia Vistisen, Georgina Wilson;. If you have purchased a "greenfields" site with no buildings on it, you can create your property from scratch by applying the proven principles of smart planning.
Formulas are available from the Water Corporation and the Department of Water to help estimate water requirements for garden irrigation, crop and livestock irrigation and fire fighting. On your property plan, plot details such as land contours, soil types, location and types of existing vegetation, buildings, fences, vehicle access and power lines. Planning your property to minimize erosion should involve techniques to prevent water from gathering too much speed.
In some industries, a fee for service is deducted from revenue to cover industrial services, such as exotic pest monitoring or product promotion.
Land degradation: What you can do to help
Water erosion
Gully erosion
Rill erosion
Sheet erosion
Stock pad erosion
Road and firebreak erosion
Headland erosion in cropping areas
Wind erosion
Salinity
Acid sulfate soils
Soil acidity
Water repellence
Soil compaction
Soil structure decline
Drainage and soil quality
Landcare and you
YOUR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Vegetation
A green framework
A farmer may see them as important to reduce soil erosion, water table rise or salinity spread; they provide shade and shelter for livestock or as a source of firewood and fence posts. Other people may value the remains for the flora and fauna they contain, or for their potential for recreation or as a resource for ecotourism. They also add to the beauty of the land and provide that "sense of place" that makes the landscape uniquely Western Australian.
For example, it may contain a habitat for the wonderful blue fairy elves, which in turn help the landowner by providing free insect control, including eating the flies that can do so much damage to sheep. It therefore makes sense for land managers to incorporate best practice management measures into their property plans to at least maintain and at best enhance their remaining vegetation. Planting can be designed for multiple uses, such as protection from wind, prevention of water eutrophication and movement of small birds.
In some cases it may be cheaper and faster to retain or regenerate existing native vegetation. You will need to consider factors such as soil types, drainage conditions, slope of the site and existing and future fencing.
Protecting native vegetation
Where there was once an uninterrupted expanse of forest, woodland, wetlands and moors, there is now a mosaic of farmland, towns, industries, roads and railways, with patches of remnant vegetation scattered between them.
What you need to know
Native vegetation’ and ‘clearing’
Clearing native vegetation
These remnants are often the only places where many species of native plants and animals can survive. Properties can be made more sustainable in the long run by revegetation with perennial native species, e.g. along a creek line to improve water quality, and this can also serve as a bush walkway to allow native animals, such as the wrens mentioned above, to move through the landscape between remnants. You can also contact native vegetation officers at a regional office of the Department of Environment and Conservation for advice.
Exemptions for low impact daily activities are contained in the Environmental Protection of Native Vegetation Regulations 2004. For more details refer to the guide to the exemptions and regulations for clearing native vegetation on the Department of Environment and Conservation website or contact a native vegetation officer. Exemptions do not apply within environmentally sensitive areas declared by the Minister for the Environment; information about the areas can be found on the website described above.
Land in a controlled catchment
How your notice of intention to clear land is assessed
Water
A scarce resource
A reliable and sufficient water supply is essential for all landholdings, however large or small.
Sources of water
Roof catchment
Aquifers
Springs and soaks
Lakes and swamps
Rivers or streams
Bores
Wells
Dams
Prior to the damming of flow lines in 'proclaimed' catchment areas, proposed works must be referred to the Department of Water.
When water supplies are limited
Maintaining water quality
Manure washing into dams can be prevented by installing filtration devices at the inlet end of the dam. Stream salinity fluctuates seasonally due to precipitation, and salinity in dams, impoundments, and reservoirs may increase in summer due to evaporation.
Acid sulfate soils and water quality
Controlling
Weeds need everyone’s attention
Which weed?
Abridged list of declared plants
Controlling weeds
Weed control, step-by-step
Insect pests
Good management of orchards and vineyards
Pest And Disease Information Service (PaDIS)
Animal pests
Declared and pest animals
Landholder responsibilities
Control/management of declared animals
Introduction and keeping of declared animals
Reporting/identification of unusual animals
Abridged list of declared animals
Livestock on your land
Being a responsible livestock owner
How many animals?
Identification and movement regulation
A waybill must accompany any cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, buffalo, deer, ostriches or camels that move off your property, regardless of destination. Saleyards, abattoirs and exporters usually require a combined bill of lading/national seller's declaration (NVD) when buying cattle, sheep or goats or accepting them for sale in the case of a sales establishment. These combined NVD/waybills are available, pre-printed with the seller's PIC, from Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) via their website (www.mla.com.au) or by telephone.
To help control disease and residues and to allow free access to the export market for Australian beef, the enzootic disease regulations require livestock owners to use a National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) tag on any cattle, sheep or goats that move from their property. The tags must be pre-printed with the owner's PIC (cattle) or brand (sheep and goats). Your local thrift or country store will be able to assist you with your individual requirements and purchasing tags.
Straying stock
Moving stock into Western Australia
Minimising risk of animal diseases
A guide to the most common livestock diseases
If you see any unusual symptoms, contact your local veterinarian, the DAFWA office, or call the Disease Watch Hotline. By contacting your local veterinarian you will receive expert help to determine the nature of the disease. As a livestock farmer, you should also be aware of the need to treat all animals humanely and not neglect them.
If you are unsure of the correct way to house and manage your livestock so that the welfare of the animals is not compromised, be sure to consult your local vet or a person experienced in keeping animals of the same kind.
When a disease is notifiable
Being a good neighbour
Keeping your farm safe
Child safety on farms
Safe use of chemicals
Always dispose of empty containers and unused chemicals safely
Disposal of waste and animal bodies
Farm safety
Preparing for bush fires
If you want to upgrade your bushfire control and prevention skills, and serve your community at the same time, you might consider joining your local Volunteer Bushfire Service or a Bushfire Preparedness Action Group.
Consideration for others
More help for small landholders
Farm business improvement program (FarmBis)
DAFWA Small Landholder Information Service
Pest and Disease Information Service
Threatened Species Network
Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia
District Offices
Community Agricultural Centres
Other important contacts
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