Seeds of Concern: Regional MPs seek answers over future of important native seed program
- Jess Dempster
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Three New South Wales regional MPs are calling on the State Government to provide certainty over the future of the Murray Local Land Services native seed collection program, amid concerns funding changes could see decades of specialist environmental knowledge lost across the region.
Member for Murray Helen Dalton, Member for Albury Justin Clancy and Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr have written to Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty seeking answers after reports funding for this year's annual native seed harvest has ceased.
The MPs say the reported decision has affected 13 experienced seasonal native seed collectors, including nine based around the Corowa and Albury district and four in Deniliquin.
They say they have been contacted by former collectors, environmental professionals and community members concerned about the future of the program and the long-term security of the Deniliquin Native Seed Bank.
Ms Dalton said said the reported funding changes risked losing specialist environmental expertise that had taken decades to develop.
"These aren't simply seasonal jobs," she said, "these are people who have spent decades developing an extraordinary knowledge of our native species, ethical seed collection and environmental restoration."
Ms Dalton said a temporary surplus of seed should not justify reducing the program, arguing native seed collection was seasonal and location-specific, with expertise that would be difficult to replace once lost.
Mr Clancy said collectors played a highly specialised role beyond harvesting seed, with knowledge of where native species grow, how seasonal conditions affect seed availability, and how to collect seed sustainably while protecting genetic diversity.
He said the Murray Native Seed Bank supplied locally sourced seed to councils, Landcare groups, nurseries, landholders and revegetation projects across the region.
"The Murray Native Seed Bank is an important environmental asset for our region," Mr Clancy said.
"At a time when governments are rightly talking about biodiversity, habitat restoration and resilience to climate change, protecting this capability should be a priority."
Dr Joe McGirr said reducing the region's native seed collection capacity risked undermining future environmental restoration efforts.
"There is a risk that the current excess of seed stock may not be enough for the ongoing protection and enhancement of our environment in the future," he said.
"I urge the government not to take a short-sighted approach that could lead to a long-term problem."
The three MPs have called on Minister Mortiary to explain the reasons behind the reported funding decision, outline the future of the native seed collection program and the Deniliquin Native Seed Bank, and reconsider funding to retain the region's specialist workforce.
The group says preserving the program is critical not only for regional jobs, but also to maintain the expertise needed to support biodiversity conservation and revegetation projects across southern New South Wales.
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