February 24, 2023
Legislation passed by State Parliament on Thursday will allow local councils to retain more of their stock route fees revenue.
The Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 means fees will go directly to councils, rather than the current split with the State Government.
The application fee will also go directly to councils but can be waived during drought.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the changes would boost the agriculture sector by ensuring the stock route network remained a cost-effective way to move and feed stock.
“This reform strikes the right balance by increasing (Council) revenue to better manage and maintain stock routes and reducing the burden on ratepayers while remaining cost-effective for drovers,” Minister Stewart said.
“And with the ability to waive fees in cases of hardship, like during droughts, these changes will help support our farmers and drovers when they need it most.”
Member for Gympie Tony Perrett said the Bill was “a long time coming”.
“There are approximately 72,000km of roads, reserves, corridors on pastoral leases and unallocated State land,” he told Parliament.
“Together with dedicated reserves for travelling stock, they make up 2.6 million hectares of route.
“They are especially important during years of drought when each drover can move and feed up to 330,000 head of cattle across the network.
“By its very nature, the cost to manage and maintain the network is spread across numerous councils that bear the responsibility for maintaining that crucial piece of infrastructure.
“There are 48 local councils that have some part of the route within their local government areas.
“LGAQ CEO Alison Smith told the committee that it costs councils approximately $4.8 million to maintain the route’s assets.
“Councils issue permits for travelling and agistment, ensure compliance with those permit conditions and land management activities for pests, weeds, fire risks, water facilities and other capital works.
“They have a very limited capacity to recoup those costs.”
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AgForce has welcomed the changes.
CEO Michael Guerin said it was a step in the right direction towards a more sustainable and efficient stock route network.
“On the back of a multi-year advocacy effort, it is pleasing to see some stock route reform has finally passed through Parliament,” he said.
“We congratulate the government on its decision to bring this to conclusion for the benefit of industry, communities, and producers.
“Our aspiration is that we will soon see a functional, active route for travelling stock that serves Queensland for centuries to come.
“It is critical that local governments have the funding and authority to lead the maintenance and upkeep of this important infrastructure.
“However, we need to ensure that there is a fair fee structure in place, so that the benefits of a more functional stock route network outweigh any additional costs.
“Rest assured we will continue to advocate for producers, as further reform is necessary to protect this valuable infrastructure for its core purpose.”
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