Kirstin will carry out routine biosecurity tasks on the Northern Tablelands including saleyard surveillance. Since joining the Local Land Services biosecurity team, Kirstin has been busy helping colleagues with wild dog and fox baiting programs currently underway in the region.

“It’s been a fantastic experience. I’m getting plenty of support from the team and I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of local landholders.”

“We’re working with coordinated groups of neighbouring landholders such as the Red Range and Dundee wild dog and fox control groups, and we’re also assisting individuals who are carrying out their own baiting programs following attacks on livestock.”

“The main focus is definitely on wild dogs and foxes, but we’re also getting more people coming in to access Pindone treated carrots to control rabbits.”

Kirstin originally hails from Maclean in NSW, but has also lived and worked overseas in the Netherlands, New Zealand, India and Egypt.She started her career as a veterinary nurse working in the Netherlands, New Zealand and Australia.

Prior to joining Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, Kirstin spent a year with the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service in Grafton, primarily in the management of weed species such as bitou bush, salvinia, and water hyacinth. She was also involved in activities to control cane toads and other pest species including wild dogs and feral pigs.

"Now that I’m working on the Northern Tablelands, I’m looking forward to learning more about local biosecurity issues, and working closely with landholders and the community to mitigate the impacts from vertebrate and plant pests,” Kirstin said

“Landholders can come to us for advice and support on biosecurity issues and baiting programs.”