A Yass grazier with vast experience in agriculture has been appointed as the new chair of the state's Local Land Services Board.
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Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders announced Allison Harker as the successful candidate at an LLS board meeting in Dubbo on Wednesday.
He said her background in investment banking, agriculture and government, along with her strong community involvement, put her in good stead for the position.
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"Allison is a diligent, passionate individual and has performed admirably as acting chair over the past 12 months," he said.
"She brings a diverse range of skills to LLS and I look forward to continuing our working relationship with her and the entire Local Land Services board into the future.
"Ms Harker commences this position during a challenging time for landholders in NSW, as we continue our recovery from bushfires, drought, the Covid-19 pandemic and floods, so she definitely has her work cut out for her."
Ms Harker was raised in a farming family at Yass and later worked in the UK and Asia as an investment banking director. She and her family moved back to Yass in 2009 to continue their grazing and cropping enterprise.
She is also a former Yass valley Shire councillor. In 2018 Ms Harker was appointed Southeast LLS chair and said when the current role arose, it "seemed like a natural fit" given her agriculture and natural resource management background.
"I thoroughly enjoy working with stakeholders on regional issues," she said.
"The board is really focused on evolving its services to meet people's needs and deliver real outcomes," she said.
"...In the wake of recent disasters, such as fires, floods and the pandemic, these services are incredibly important, and as an agency, we will continue to do everything we can to support the community."
Ms Harker said the disasters highlighted the need to be prepared in terms of fodder delivery, biosecurity and animal health.
She will move around the state in her role. LLS has 90 locations and 1000 staff.
The state board is made up of the 11 regional board chairs and Ms Harker.
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