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New reforms passed in parliament allow local councils to retain more stock route revenue fees to reinvest back into network maintenance.
The bill cuts red tape for councils and makes it easier to update stock route maps and management plans.
Queensland’s 2.6-million ha stock route network is vital to the state’s $23.1 billion agriculture sector.
The Palaszczuk Government passed reforms in parliament to cut red tape and improve the management of the state’s 2.6-million-hectare stock route network.
The Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 allows local councils to retain more of their stock route revenue fees to reinvest back into network maintenance and makes it easier for drovers to access and update stock route maps and management plans.
Queensland drovers move and feed between 5000 and 330,000 head of stock across the network each year, with higher usage during periods of drought.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart said, “These changes will boost the state’s $23.1 billion agriculture sector by ensuring the stock route network remains a cost-effective way to move and feed stock for years to come.”
“This reform strikes the right balance by increasing revenue to better manage and maintain stock routes and reducing the burden on ratepayers while remaining cost-effective for drovers,” Mr Stewart said.
He added that with the ability to waive fees in cases of hardship, such as during droughts, these changes will help support our farmers and drovers when they need it most.
Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Minister and Rural Communities Minister Mark Furner said, “Stock routes have a rich cultural heritage in Queensland, with many of them following traditional droving routes that have been used for generations.”
“With a better-funded and managed network, our hardworking drovers and pastoralists will have access to the resources they need to maintain their livelihoods and support our economy.
“The Palaszczuk Government consulted extensively on these reforms, which will mean better services for landowners and drovers right across rural and regional Queensland,” Mr Furner said.
