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Help me understand the stock route review

    How are stock routes managed?

    The Queensland Government manages the stock route network with local governments under the Stock Route Management Act 2002. Some grazing access is administered under the Land Act 1994, while the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 and the Stock Act 1915 also include relevant provisions.

    Local governments are responsible for:

    • day-to-day administration and management
    • some network maintenance.

    The Queensland Government is responsible for providing policy and legislative advice and support.

    What do the councils use the money for?

    Maintenance of water facilities and infrastructure, completing management planning, issuing permits and conducting site inspections for permits. We are proposing to introduce an application fee for all permits to help cover the on-ground inspections.

    What consultation has been undertaken?

    In 2019, extensive stakeholder engagement and consultation was undertaken to inform a review of the Stock Route Management Regulation 2003 and the Stock Route Network Management Strategy 2014 to 2019. 

    This included regional workshops in Longreach, Roma, Emerald and Kingaroy attended by local government, industry, natural resource management and government stakeholders.  

    Why are we proposing a fee increase?

    The proposed fee changes are designed to increase cost recovery for local governments to support effective management and administration of the stock route network. 

    Stock route fees, along with State funding, are used by local governments to administer, monitor, maintain, and upgrade the network, for work such as the installation and maintenance of water tanks and troughs, fencing repairs and weed control.

    A better funded stock route network means better outcomes for drovers and farmers that rely on the network every year.