Stock Route Network Management Bill 2016

Overview

This bill replaces the 2002 Stock Route Management Act with a new framework for managing Queensland's 72,000km stock route network that runs through 44 local government areas. It puts local councils firmly in charge as day-to-day managers of the network, lets them keep all fees and fines they collect, and brings stock travel, grazing and pasture harvesting under a single Act instead of four.

Who it affects

Drovers, graziers and stock owners who use the network to move or feed livestock, landholders next to stock routes who must maintain fences, and the 44 local councils that will now approve and police all uses of the network.

Key changes

• Councils become the sole issuer of approvals for travelling, grazing and harvesting on the network, and keep 100% of the fees and fines rather than sending half to the state
• Six new approval types are created with a strict priority order - travelling stock always beats grazing, and grazing always beats pasture harvesting
• Long-term grazing approvals can run up to 5 years on secondary stock routes and up to 1 year on primary routes, with new short-term, emergency and unfit-stock approvals
• Natural heritage (including migratory bird sites) and cultural heritage (including Aboriginal cultural heritage sites) can be declared 'special interest areas' with maintenance conditions on approvals
• Stronger enforcement - unauthorised stock on the network attracts up to 200 penalty units, failing a directions notice up to 400 penalty units, and authorised officers can seize, sell or destroy stray stock that threaten public safety
• Temporary closures of the network are capped at 84 days (12 weeks) so councils cannot shut routes indefinitely