Roadside grazing and stock routes

Emerging drought conditions will result in an increased demand to use stock routes and roads for grazing informs North Burnett Regional Council Mayor Cr Rachel Chambers.  Cr Chambers confirmed that Council had received an enquiry for several hundred of head to be travelled from further west onto local stock routes and roads.

The Queensland Government has a network of dedicated stock routes under the Stock Route Management Act which also includes roads by definition.

Cr Chambers said, “Any agistment or travelling of livestock on roads or stock routes requires a permit under that Act, and any road that involves a main road, would have to be referred to the relevant State agency for consideration.”

Permit fees are based on the number of head to be travelled or agisted as determined by regulation under the Act.  Local Governments can only refuse an application if there is a current permit with someone else, if there is no pasture or water to sustain stock during the period of the permit or if there is a risk to biosecurity, traffic or land.

“A refusal for permit can however be reviewed by the Government Department responsible for the Act,” concluded Cr Chambers.

Further information on agistment and travelling stock permits can be obtained through Council’s Natural Resources Management Team on 1300 696 272 (1300 MY NBRC) or email Council.