Serious concerns have been raised over the future of native seed collection in the Murray region, with former staff also warning it could “undermine decades of environmental restoration work”.

A decision to pause the Murray Local Land Services native seed collection program was revealed earlier this month, triggering concerns that jobs and a vital service would be lost.

Politicians and community members have also tried to seek assurances about the long-term security of the Deniliquin Native Seed Bank.

A report cited by NSW politicians - including Member for Murray Helen Dalton - suggests 13 highly experienced seasonal native seed collectors have been affected since collection ceased, including nine from the Corowa and Albury district and four from Deniliquin.

Responding to the Pastoral Times, Murray LLS said the move is for a review of how the service is delivered, and is not “a restructure or a termination of the service”.

A spokesperson for the organisation also said there would be no “no changes to permanent staff”.

In the same statement, the spokesperson said the decision was made because annual seed sales are a mere fraction of what is stored.

“The Murray Native Seed Services seed store currently holds around 2000 kilograms of seed, with annual sales of about 86 kilograms. On that basis, further seed collection is not required in the foreseeable future while existing stocks are available,” the statement said.

“The seed bank stores species that are found within the region. These are often sold as bulk consignment to support land restoration and rehabilitation work across the Murray and surrounds.

“Local Land Services is reviewing how the service is delivered to ensure it remains sustainable, responsive to demand and focused on the needs of landholders and communities.

“Local Land Services continues to support landholders and stakeholders with native seed advice, collection expertise and landscape restoration services.”

Former Murray LLS Murray Native Seed Services manager Sue Logie said the decision to halt this year’s harvest overlooked the realities of native seed supply and the specialist knowledge required to maintain it.

“Seeds can be very difficult to get and collect,” she said.

“Although there may be 2000 kilograms of seed, it may not be a variety of seed.

“There may be an over abundance in old-man saltbush, but that doesn’t mean we stop collecting other seeds.

“Just because there’s a lot of seed, it doesn’t make it diverse seed.”

Ms Logie said recent seasonal conditions had already placed pressure on native species.

“Now with high rainfall in the summer, plants aren’t adapting as fast as the weather is changing,” she said.

“Nurseries also need to be able to get that seed.”

Ms Logie also pointed to the fact that “some species only seed every three to four years”, highlighting the need for consistent collection.

She said the program had been built on decades of specialist expertise.

“I’ve been involved for 20 years, and I’m very disappointed with these changes. The model we had worked very well.

“It was set up to provide a consistent supply of native seed and to be able to revegetate large areas.”

Ms Logie said the work required skilled and experienced operators who, she says, have now been told their services were no longer required.

“So where do you find them when you need them?” she said.

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