Member for Murray Helen Dalton, Member for Albury Justin Clancy and Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr have called on the NSW Government to provide urgent certainty over the future of the seed bank.
The three MPs have written to Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty seeking answers following reports that funding for this year’s annual native seed harvest has ceased, resulting in the loss of experienced native seed collectors across the Murray region.
Reports indicate 13 highly experienced seasonal native seed collectors have been affected, including nine from the Corowa and Albury district and four from Deniliquin.
The MPs said they had been contacted by former seed collectors, environmental professionals and community members who were deeply concerned about the future of the program and the loss of specialist capability built over decades.
Ms Dalton said the decision risked losing knowledge that could never be replaced.
“These aren’t simply seasonal jobs. These are people who have spent decades developing an extraordinary knowledge of our native species, ethical seed collection and environmental restoration.”
Mr Clancy said native seed collectors performed a highly specialised role that extended well beyond harvesting seed.
“These collectors don’t simply gather seed. They know where individual native species grow, how seasonal conditions affect seed availability, how to harvest sustainably while protecting genetic diversity, and how to ensure quality local provenance seed is available for revegetation projects.”
“The Murray Native Seed Bank is an important environmental asset for our region. It supports local councils, Landcare groups, nurseries, landholders and restoration projects with locally sourced native seed.”
The three MPs have called on Ms Moriarty to publicly explain the reasons behind the 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 native seed collection capability.
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