Full description
The Closer Settlement Branch [III] was established on 4 October 1960 following the abolition of the War Service Land Settlement Branch. (1) Although the War Service Settlement Scheme had terminated there was continuing work related to the repayment of advances, reviewing estates experiencing difficulties and the transfer of leases. The Closer Settlement Advisory Boards reviewed farms and took action that included the short-term funding of debts and funding arrears that had sometimes stood for up to 20 years. The Boards also approved special purpose funding including for the purchase of super-phosphates to advance farm production more rapidly.
In the wider area of closer settlement, land continued to be made available for development including under the promotion provisions and leases forfeited and transferred. (2)
In 1964 "Build up" provisions for closer settlement were introduced. These enabled a significant number of landholders to improve their standard of living. Farmers in the North Coast dairying district were the first to take advantage of the new scheme but increased publicity in 1966 caused an influx of applications from closer settlement holders throughout the State. (3) The Closer Settlement Advisory Boards continued to seek suitable land for Closer Settlement throughout the State. (4) The Branch continued to service War Service Land Settlements working in conjunction with the Commonwealth Director of War Service Land Settlement and the NSW Department of Agriculture. (5)
The Closer Settlement Advisory Board was dissolved on 31 December 1971. The Chairman C.C. Donohoe retired and the Board Members R.A. Simpson and B.H. Badgery became the Deputy and Assistant Directors respectively of the Rural Assistance Board.
During 1971 the work of the Branch included significant involvement in the Commonwealth Rural Reconstruction Scheme and the Marginal Dairy Farm Reconstruction Scheme. (6)
On 31 December 1971 the Closer Settlement Branch [III] was disbanded and most of the staff transferred to the Rural Assistance Board. (7)
Endnotes
1. NSW Government Gazette No.144, 9 December 1960, p.3975. The Closer Settlement Branch [III] was re-established from 4 October 1960 when Harold Carr was appointed Officer-in-charge.
2. Department of Lands annual report for the year ended 30 June 1964, pp.6-7.
3. Department of Lands annual report for the year ended 30 June 1966, p.11.
4. ibid., p.12.
5. Department of Lands annual report for the year ended 30 June 1967, p.9.
6. Department of Lands annual report for the year ended 30 June 1971, p.17.
7. loc. cit.
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