About Us

Working together to protect our state from invasive weeds

The Macquarie and Lachlan Valleys Weeds Committee (MLVWC) connects weed professionals, councils, and government agencies to share knowledge, coordinate action, and tackle weed challenges across more than half of NSW.

Who We Are

The Macquarie and Lachlan Valleys Weeds Committee (MLVWC) was formed in 2021 through the merger of the Macquarie Valley Weeds Committee Inc. (MVWC) and the Lachlan Valley Weeds Advisory Committee (LVWAC).

We are a networking and educational group made up of weed professionals and government partner agencies, dedicated to:

• Regional collaboration

• Strategic planning

• Project coordination

• Capacity building for industry participants and the wider community

MLVWC also serves as a central information hub, providing advice on weed management and keeping stakeholders informed about emerging issues and challenges across much of central west NSW.

Our History

Collaboration between our member councils dates back to the late 1970s, when the Macquarie Valley Johnson Grass Eradication Committee was formed.

Original members: Local Control Authorities (LCAs), responsible for implementing noxious weed legislation.
Expanded membership: Local Land Services (LLS) (formerly Livestock Health and Pest Authorities and Catchment Management Authorities), NSW DPI – Lands, the Office of Environment and Heritage, and other related agencies joined the commitee membership.

2010: Took on a more structured coordinating role with the Weeds Action Program (WAP) — a NSW Government initiative to reduce the impact of weeds statewide.
2014: Following the Natural Resource Commission review into weed management, 11 new Regional Weed Committees were established based on LLS boundaries. WAP projects were realigned accordingly.

• LVWAC continued informally.

• MVWC coordinated project development for the Central Tablelands, Central West, and Western LLS regions.

• A Regional Project Officer was employed through Orange City Council to manage WAP projects and help develop Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans, which were critical to the rollout of the Biosecurity Act 2015.

What We Do Today

Now representing over 55% of NSW, MLVWC provides a quarterly forum for weed professionals from member councils and partner agencies to:

• Meet and share knowledge

• Collaborate across boundaries

• Strengthen professional relationships

• Build skills and capacity

Member Councils come from the following LLS regions include: Central Tablelands, Central West, North West, Riverina, South East, and Western LLS areas.

Through this collaboration, we continue to build on our long legacy of weed management, delivering regional strategies, fostering partnerships, and ensuring we are ready to meet current and future challenges.

CURRENT MEMBERS

Central Tablelands LLS Region

• Cabonne Council
• Cowra Council
• Mid Western Regional Council
• Orange City Council
• Upper Macquarie County Council (Bathurst Regional, Blayney, Lithgow, Oberon Councils)

Central West LLS Region

·       Bogan Shire Council

·       Dubbo Regional Council

·       Forbes Shire Council

·       Lachlan Shire Council

·       Narromine Shire Council

·       Parkes Shire Council

·       Weddin Shire Council

·       Castlereagh Macquarie County Council (Walgett, Coonamble, Warren, Gilgandra and Warrumbungle Shire Councils)

Riverina and South East LLS Region

• Hilltops Council

Western Region

• Balranald Shire Council
• Bourke Shire Council
• Brewarrina Shire Council
• Broken Hill City Council
• Cobar Shire Council
• Wentworth Shire Council
• Western Lands

Various Government Agencies maintain member ship including branches from:

Local Lands Service (LLS)

Crown Lands

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)

Environment and Heritage

National Parks and Wildlife Service

MLVWC EXECUTIVE for 2024 – 2026

Chairman

Ben Mott (Hilltops Council)

Mobile: 0409 256 779

Email: benjamin.mott@hilltops.nsw.gov.au

Senior Vice Chairman

Melissa Munro (Mid-Western Regional Council)

Junior Vice Chairman

Jaime Elms (Weddin Shire Council)

Secretary/Treasurer

Melissa Brennan (Orange City Council)

Ph: 02 6393 8057

Email: mlvwc@orange.nsw.gov.au

Management Committee

Archie Harding

Glenn Neyland

Kane Davison