Reforms supporting the Stock Route Network Management Bill
Managing multpile uses of the Stock Route Network
The primary purpose of the Stock Route Network (SRN) is to provide for the movement of travelling stock - now and into the future. It also has secondary uses such as static grazing and attributes such as biodiversity and cultural heritage that require coordination and preservation.
The new legislation:
- introduces arrangements under which different uses are managed statewide in accordance with prescribed principles
- integrates grazing management under a single legislative framework.
There is also an increased focus on:
- retaining adequate pasture for travelling stock
- maintaining and improving land condition.
The respective responsibilities of the state and local governments are made clear, including responsibility for protecting significant SRN attributes through provisions for the making of:
- special management area declarations
- conditional use declarations
- closed area declarations.
Stakeholders will continue to be involved in the future management of the network, when appropriate, through a Stock Route Advisory Panel.
Reclassification according to usage rates
Under a new classification system, which focuses on managing pasture so that it is adequate for the needs of travelling stock, the network is classified according to usage rates:
- Primary A: routes and reserves that are heavily used sections.
- Primary B: routes and reserves used less by travelling stock.
- Secondary: routes and reserves that are of limited use for stock movement.
There will be a transition period of five years, after which static grazing will no longer be permitted on the fenced parts of the Primary A network. Subject to certain mandatory conditions, grazing will be permitted on:
- unfenced Primary A routes, reserves and roads
- all Primary B routes, reserves and roads
- all Secondary routes, reserves and roads.
Fee and funding arrangments
New ‘user-pays’ fees that better reflect the benefits derived by the various users of the stock route network have been introduced in conjunction with new permitting and grazing management arrangements. The proposed fees were detailed in the Regulatory Impact Statement released for public consultation in 2009, and will be prescribed under the Stock Route Network Management Regulation.
Under new funding arrangements, local governments are given sufficient revenue and powers to administer the day-to-day operation of the network and public (stock access) lands in their respective management areas. This includes issuing all travel and grazing permits and authorities, and identifying areas with special management needs.
The new arrangements will also allow management costs—including those for the construction and maintenance of stock facilities—to be recovered so the network can be managed sustainably, and the ancillary facilities can be adequately maintained for the benefit of users.
Stock route management system
A web-based management system is being developed to help:
- streamline management of SRN usage
- support reclassification
- record condition assessment
- improve land condition reporting
- provide the public with access to SRN information.
Public hearing
The Stock Route Network Management Bill 2011 and Explanatory notes are available at the Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website.
The Transport, Local Government and Infrastructure Committee will hold public hearings into the Stock Route Network Management Bill 2011 and hear from invited witnesses on Wednesday, 16 November 2011 at Queensland Parliament, and on Friday, 18 November 2011 in Longreach.
Further information on the committee process and the public hearings is available on the Transport. Local Government and Infrastructure Committee's webpage on the Queensland Parliament website.
Last reviewed 31 October 2011
Last updated 3 October 2011
