April 29, 2020
South Burnett Regional Council will continue to press the State Government to eliminate or reduce the costs of Roadside Grazing Permits.
At Wednesday’s monthly Council meeting, Councillors were told local cattle producers generally took up roadside grazing out of necessity during drought times.
The SBRC did not charge producers for permits however the State Government levied a charge that Council was obliged to collect.
Cr Kathy Duff said it was important issue which Council should raise with the State Government.
“In times of drought we are forced to charge that State Government fee for agistment and it just seems so wrong,” Cr Duff said.
“We get blamed for charging agistment fees when people are really struggling during drought times and just want to get their cattle out on the road.
“It puts Council in a bad light.
“We have lobbied the State Government and I think we should continue – particularly in drought-declared times – (to see) that fee is waived.”
Cr Scott Henschen agreed.
“Mr Mayor and Cr Duff, I can speak from experience about roadside grazing,” Cr Henschen said.
“At the height of the drought I had applied for a permit myself, and I had cattle on the road for nine weeks.
“I think we can work closely with the State Government and I think also the rural fire (brigades) can play an important part with that. It (grazing) can become a very good (fire) management tool.”
Cr Henschen said the region had gone from a situation where farmers had suffered the worst drought in 150 years to one where roadside grass growth could pose a major fire risk in the July-September quarter.
Cr Henschen said he wasn’t aware until recently that Council had waived its right to put a charge on top of the State Government’s fee, but he commended the decision and believed the wider community should hear about it, too.
Mayor Brett Otto said the issue of roadside grazing fees was important to local beef producers, and beef production was a significant contributor to the region’s economy.
In light of the drought and – as Cr Henschen had pointed out – reducing fire risks, he felt State Government lobbying should continue.
