Minister says sitting out feral pig cull 'not fair' on neighbours

After a community backlash that included violent threats, NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty has defended fines for landholders who refuse to take part in a feral pig cull, saying they would be letting their neighbours down.

When the Walgett-based pilot program was announced last month, much attention was focused on non-compliance penalties of up to $220,000 for individuals and $440,000 for corporations.

The hefty fines drew fierce criticism, with the minister the target of online threats.

Ms Moriarty visited the north-west NSW town on Wednesday to meet a newly formed advisory group.

She said those who "deliberately opt out and refuse to participate" will be letting their community down.

"If they do, that's not fair on their neighbours, the region and the people who are putting resources into tackling these issues and doing the hard yards to tackle feral pigs," she said.

"It will essentially be community pressure to get everyone involved and doing this work at the same time."

The advisory group is made up of key community members including the mayor, agricultural leaders and representatives from Local Land Services, Crown Lands and National Parks, with broader consultation planned.

The minister said consultation would continue until October, with the program due to start in November.

"There'll be many ways for people to participate," she said.

"If you have particular arrangements on your property, so if you don't want helicopters at a certain time, you'll be able to talk to us about that.

"If you've got arrangements you think work and will demonstrate that you're actively dealing with feral pigs, you'll be able to work with Local Land Services about a plan and that will count as participation."

Ms Moriarty said government agencies would face the same expectations and scrutiny as private landholders.

"If you're next to a piece of government land, we've got to take responsibility and do more as well," she said.

Consultation welcomed

Walgett Mayor Jasen Ramien was concerned by the initial announcement but was now more confident.

"My main issue originally was not consulting the community and stakeholders," he said.

"The minister's come back and done that, I'm really happy about that.

"A lot of times we get told out here what we're getting and how it's happening, a lot of people out here have had enough."

Cr Ramien said all members of the advisory group were committed to making the scheme work.

"We need it to work because we're losing stock," he said.

"We're getting land, crops and fences destroyed.

"This program's going to have to go for a couple of years to really get on top of it."

Walgett farmer Cameron Rowntree said he supported the program, which he hoped would help landholders who had been struggling with pig numbers for years.

"I think there's a chance to do something positive with a collaborative and landscape approach to this issue, to at least get under some sort of control the pig problem in our part of the world," he said.

"As far as we're concerned, as landholders we're all in and the more the merrier."

But Mr Rowntree said tackling the problem would require a long-term commitment and should not be vulnerable to a change in government.

"This isn't something that will be fixed in three months, more like three years," he said.

"It's not about who's in power right now. This issue isn't going to go away unless it's maintained for years to come.

"Unless everyone's in, including the public land managers, you're not going to succeed."