Despite its rich irrigation and dryland cropping reputation, Griffith has not been chosen as a location for the Local Land Services regime workshop.
GRIFFITH has been snubbed by a travelling roadshow that aims to give farmers a say in the future of local support services.
The state government will hold consultation workshops in 21 farming communities around the state to explain its new Local Land Services (LLS) regime, which will amalgamate three key farming assistance services.
Despite its rich irrigation and dryland cropping reputation, Griffith has not been chosen as a location for the workshops.
The merger of Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPAs), Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) and parts of the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has already created turmoil in the area, including the loss of long-time Hillston-based agronomist Barry Haskins.
Local NSW Farmers Association representative Helen Dalton said she had already noticed Mr Haskins' absence and was astounded there would not be a consultation session in Griffith to give farmers a better understanding of the changes.
"I think it's absolutely appalling they're not coming here," Mrs Dalton said.
"We are the bread basket of NSW and they don't even offer us a meeting.
"That is very poor form.
"As far as I'm concerned, the biggest issue is losing skilled agronomists.
"We are a highly productive area and it's important we have someone to ring up and ask for advice when we need it."
The closest workshops will be held in Hay on February 18 and Deniliquin on February 19.
Mrs Dalton will attend the Hay session.
"I will certainly have a bit to say to them about sidelining Griffith like this," she said.
A preliminary meeting was held in Griffith in November to discuss the proposed LLS but Hanwood and Coleambally farmer John Ward said it was not enough to give locals an adequate level of consultation.
"The meeting was early in the piece and it was just a sham," Mr Ward said.
"It was very poorly advertised and, at that time, it was not clear to farmers that this was going to be so important for them."
The DPI has confirmed 15 industry development officers will be based in the region once LLS is created, in addition to 25 advisory officers.
There will no longer be a citrus specialist based in the Riverina.