Former MP Gerry Peacocke dies

PREMIER Barry O’Farrell and his deputy have paid tribute to former Dubbo MP Gerry Peacocke, who died in his sleep last night (Wednesday) aged 81.

Mr Peacocke, a member of the National Party, was member for Dubbo from 1981 to 1999.

During his 18 years in parliament, Mr Peacocke held two portfolios.

From 1998 to 1991 he held the small business and consumer affairs portfolio and from 1991 to 1993 he was minister for local government.

Mr O’Farrell says he was saddened to hear of Mr Peacocke’s death.

“I send my condolences to his family and friends,” Mr O’Farrell says in a statement.

“Gerry was one of the true gentlemen of New South Wales politics – admired by MPs on both sides of the house.”

Deputy Premier and Nationals Leader Andrew Stoner has praised Mr Peacocke as a “great custodian of regional NSW”.

“Gerry represented the Dubbo community with distinction for more than 30 years and had dedicated his life to building regional communities,” says Mr Stoner.

“Gerry Peacocke will be sorely missed by those who knew him, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

LHPA says no to electronic tagging

THE current mob-based system of traceability for sheep and goats in New South Wales meets national tracing standards and the Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA) are encouraging producers, saleyard operators and stock and station agents to help them ensure compliance.

Chair of the LHPA State Management Council, Ian Donges, says they are working with all sections of the sheep industry to gather information to support the NSW case to retain the current mob-based movement system.

This evidence will be provided to the Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson, in early July in an effort to avoid the mandatory introduction of electronic tagging, radio frequency identification (RFID), in NSW.

“In late 2012, the NSW National Livestock Identification (NLIS) Steering Committee and the NSW NLIS Sheep and Goat Implementation Advisory Committee met and agreed to try a different approach to saleyard compliance monitoring,” says Mr Donges.

“The aim of this new approach was to ensure traceability and to provide comparative compliance costs between the mob-based paper and electronic systems.”

As a result of these discussions, a trial began at the Carcoar CTLX saleyards in the Tablelands LHPA, aimed at finding and fixing compliance problems, and providing feedback, he says.

“The initial trial was successful and we have agreed that further trials at a state level, as well other activities to compliment these, should be carried out to prove that the mob-based system is fully capable of meeting the national tracing standards,” says Mr Donges.

“Our vets and rangers are encouraging producers to work closely and co-operatively with LHPA staff, saleyard operators and stock station agents during this trial period, which has already commenced in some areas.”

Mr Donges says that despite criticisms of the mob-based system, the introduction of a mandatory electronic tagging system will be impractical, expensive and unnecessary.

“The cost of RIFDs could be as much as $3.30 per sheep to producers with unknown costs to saleyard operators, agents and processors which is a burden the industry can’t afford,” he says.

“The trials will continue until June 30 and will also allow us to clearly demonstrate the need and capability to achieve 100 per cent compliance to vendors, agents and buyers, which is essential to ensure the biosecurity of the state is protected.”

From July 1, state inspectors will administer fees and penalties to those who are non-compliant.

“LHPAs will continue to work with and support industry on this issue,” Mr Donges says.

Lake Cowal yabbie oddity

prompts warning for fishers

RECREATIONAL fishers are warned not to consume yabbies with visible shell damage after a number of the freshwater delicacies were found to be affected with irregular markings in the Lake Cowal area near West Wyalong.

Numerous reports have been made about unusual shell markings on some of the catches coming from Lake Cowal last week, says Department of Primary Industries (DPI) acting senior inland fisheries manager Matthew McLellan.

“The unusual markings feature on the body of the yabby, and are red in colour,” he says.

“In some instances, larger affected areas on the shell have caused the shell to go very soft in the affected area.

“Sampling is underway and analysis of the affected yabbies will be undertaken at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute to try to determine the nature of the shell damage, and rule out a fungal disease, shell rot or other pathogens.

“The Environment Protection Authority is also undertaking water and sediment sample testing.

“In the interim, we advise all commercial and recreational fishers to use caution when fishing in Lake Cowal and return any affected yabbies back into the water,” says Mr McLellan.

Commercial fishers in the area have been contacted and advised that affected yabbies should not be marketed or sold.

“The New South Wales Food Authority advises that under the Food Act 2003 it is an offence to sell food that is unsuitable,” says Mr McLellan.

“The definition of unsuitable within the Food Act 2003 includes food that is a product of a diseased animal.

“Therefore any yabbies that appear diseased should not be sold for human consumption.”

At this stage, it’s believed about 25 per cent of yabbies from the Lake Cowal area seem to be affected.

“Fishers are asked to report any unusual looking yabbies to the (DPI) as we continue to investigate the cause of this event,” Mr McLellan says.

Woman ‘sools dogs on to police’

A WOMAN has been charged after allegedly sooling her dogs on to police officers who were chasing her at Young.

Police went to the 35-year-old’s home on Burrangong Hall Rd in Young yesterday (Tuesday) to arrest her, before she ran out into the backyard of the house.

Police allege that as officers gave chase the woman encouraged two large dogs to attack the pursuing officers.

The women than ran back into the house and hid in a cupboard before being arrested.

She has been charged with driving whilst disqualified, resisting arresting, urging a dog to attack, assaulting police and intimidating police.

She’s been refused bail to front Young Local Court next month.

Amputee’s stolen tricycle found trashed

THEIVES have trashed a mobility tricycle stolen from a double amputee at Molong, northwest of Orange.

Peter Kelly’s destroyed tricycle was located on the side of Molong Rd at Goanna Hill yesterday (Wednesday) with two other bicycles stolen from the town.

The theft occurred between 10pm on Saturday and 2am on Sunday.

It’s the second time in three months Mr Kelly’s mobility tricycle has been stolen.

The Molong community raised the money to buy the double amputee the mobility aide after the first bike was never recovered, regional media report.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen a car pull over and dump the stolen property on the side of the road to call Orange Police Station on (02) 6363 6399.

The thieves used white paint in an attempt to mask the tricycle’s brand name, and the two bicycles were found to be missing tyres and handlebars

Mr Kelly’s tricycle basket was removed.

Illegal hunters fire warning shot at farmer

POLICE are seeking two men who bailed up a farmer at gunpoint and fired a warning shot near Orange after he caught them illegally hunting on his land.

The 43-year-old property owner was working on his farm when he heard shots and then saw two men chasing kangaroos.

He followed them over his property boundary into the neighbouring Canobolas State Forest, but when he tried to take a photograph of their number plate, one of the men trained a gun on him, police say.

One of the hunters smashed the phone and fired a warning shot at the farmer’s feet.

This week Premier Barry O’Farrell confirmed the State Government remains committed to allowing hunting in many of the national parks in new South Wales.

A similar program allowing the hunting of feral animals in parks in South Australia was shut down this month when one hunter shot another in the ankle during a supervised cull of feral goats.

The NSW Opposition says there is a “very real risk to public safety” from hunters operating in parks.

Park rangers have also objected to their role of supervising recreational hunters in parks, and have documented many close calls when hunting has spilled over on to private property or groups of hunters have acted carelessly.

Game Council NSW says it only endorses hunting when it is done responsibly, by people with an appropriate licence.

The Orange farmer was uninjured but badly shaken by the incident, police say.

Canobolas Local Area Command Inspector Dave Harvey says the two men were less than 4m from the farmer when they shot at him.

“It’s out of the ordinary and police are very keen to speak to any of the men who were there,” says Inspector Harvey.

“All resources have been made available to investigate the matter.”