Mr Blair, both Minister for Primary Industries and Minister for Lands and Water, took a tour on Wednesday of the Department of Primary Industries’ Lands and Natural Resources office, which manages much of the state’s Crown lands.

Mr Blair welcomed the opportunity to receive staff briefings on key issues facing the lands portfolio, particularly land claims, management of the Western Division and reform of management of Crown lands.

“Dubbo plays an important role in managing Crown lands, particularly the Western Division, which represents about 30 million hectares,” he said in a statement released to the media after the visit.

“Dubbo is an important hub for Crown land services with the Aboriginal Land Claims Unit, the Natural Resource Services Unit, Reserves and Licences Business Centre, Far West Operations and the district office all located here.

“There is no doubt that the lands portfolio is complex, with a number of challenges.

“Today was a good opportunity to better understand some of those issues and to discuss potential solutions.” 

Mr Niall is on a fact-finding mission across regional NSW.

“The issues that the industries in Dubbo and Walgett are facing are different to those the communities and businesses in b  , Bega and Broken Hill are facing,” he said.

“That’s why I am travelling the length and breadth of regional NSW to meet with key industry groups, businesses and communities,” he said.