Dam experts from WaterNSW will visit Beargamil and Lake En­deavour dams on 12 March, partnering with Parkes Shire Council to enhance the safety of local dam infrastructure.

The visit to the two dams is part of a WaterNSW partnership with local councils under the NSW Government’s Town Water Risk Reduction Program (TWRRP) which is an initiative of the NSW De­partment of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).

The TWRRP brings the strengths of major entities in the water sector, like WaterNSW, to local councils, to help improve water security, quality and reliability.

WaterNSW Executive Manager Strategy and Performance, Fio­na Smith, said “One of those niche but critically important functions are the five-yearly risk reviews required under the Dams Safety Act 2015 to protect local communities and dam infrastructure.

“One of the big lessons learned from the most recent drought is the water sector must collaborate more closely to build expertise and provide better access to niche skills outside normal local gov­ernment functions,”“WaterNSW is a national leader in the water sector, operating most of the large dams in NSW, which is why our experts are well placed to help councils and local water utilities identify risks and improvements to dam safety and water quality.

“The site visits to Beargamil and Lake Endeavour dams is the first step in our partnership with Parkes Shire Council.

“We are delighted to have our team working alongside Council officers to advise on their next risk review of these important local dams, and to advise on other potential compliance improvement measures,” Fiona said.

David Littleproud speaking at National Farmer Rally in Canberra.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud said Labor’s $2.3 million advertising cam­paign on the phase out of live sheep exports has been exposed as a sham, with ads be­ing targeted on the East Coast as well as Western Australia.

Senate Estimates has revealed most of the ads have been viewed in Greens and Labor areas in Victoria and New South Wales, rather than areas that are actually impacted.

“Labor’s ads for assistance are being aimed at inner-city seats, instead of helping our WA live sheep farmers to get the infor­mation they need,” Mr Littleproud said.

“It is obvious Labor is using the ads in Melbourne and Sydney seats to appease the animal activists and prove that it is fulfill­ing its election commitment to phase out live sheep exports.

“In the final days before the election is called, Labor knows it needs Greens prefer­ences and is clearly now using this money as the start of its election campaign. These ads are a waste of taxpayers’ money and another insult to our live sheep export trade.”

Labor’s live sheep export phase out Face­book ad, with over one million impressions, had 46 per cent of views in New South Wales, 19 per cent in Victoria and just 16 per cent in WA.

“Labor has turned its back on the farm­ing industry and has treated our live sheep farmers with contempt.

“A future Coalition Government will rein­state the live sheep export trade. If elected, my first role as Agriculture Minister will be to travel to the Middle East, to build those important relationships and ensure the live sheep export trade in Australia remains.”

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is launch­ing a new Social Media Academy to create the next batch of influential red meat am­bassadors to connect everyday Australians with the vital work of our producers. MLA is calling for producers to sign up to the So­cial Media Academy.

MLA’s Managing Director Michael Crow­ley said the program will help metropolitan Australians see how their favourite red meat is produced on-farm.

“MLA’s Social Media Academy will assist producers show best practice in caring for livestock and the environment so custom­ers can continue to feel good about eating red meat. We’ll be doing this on social me­dia where Australians are engaged in re­ceiving and sharing information.”

Social Media Academy participants will attend workshops at TikTok’s head office and walk away with the skills they need to build a community and following, as well as insights into boosting positive community perceptions about Australian red meat pro­duction.

The first cohort of participants will be trained by TikTok in Sydney on 23 April 2025 and learn how to create best practice content. They will also connect with other Australian agriculture content creators.

Selection criteria available at www.mla.com.au/mla-social-media-academy