CAUTIONARY: Ian Grenda with one of the signs that will be put up across the region in response to recent thefts involving livestock, gas bottles and various farm machinery. Picture: Jim Aldersey
THE Nuggetty Land Protection Group will next week launch its rural theft awareness and prevention signs at a community morning tea.
At the launch, there will be an unveiling of signs that have been developed in response to issues raised at a livestock and farm theft meeting held by the group in Maldon last year.
Group secretary Christine Fitzgerald said the idea to create the signs came from a disgruntled member who had lost sheep.
“It is a problem in the area but we didn’t actually know how widespread it was,” she said.
“What we want to do is raise awareness.”
Mrs Fitzgerald said some farmers in the region wouldn’t report their losses to authorities.
“Some farmers might not realise that 10 out of 200 sheep would be missing from their stock or they might not notice some equipment missing until they need to use something,” she said.
“Farmers are doing it tough and all of it adds up.”
The signs aim to promote public awareness and provide residents with clear reporting information.
The signs will be installed on property fences at more than 40 locations throughout the community.
Mrs Fitzgerald said the Nuggetty Land Protection Group had been running for close to 25 years and was made up of farmers and their families.
She said police members from the Livestock Taskforce and Crime Stoppers representatives would attend the meeting.
Mrs Fitzgerald said the Maldon and District Community Bank sponsored the group, which allowed members to create the signs.
The community morning tea will be held at the Maldon Community Centre on February 23 at 9am.
RSVP by this Friday is essential.
For more information, contact Christine Fitzgerald on 0419 347 408.
