The Stock Route Coalition acknowledges that the Minister has announced that in Queensland none of the network will be sold or leased and that is welcomed.

The Coalition is aware that the Government is working on stand alone legislation and improved management of the stock route network. In the interim the Coalition would welcome a moratorium by Government on the issuance of any additional permits or management arrangements over the stock routes network. Acknowledging Local Governments have been devolved certain powers, the Coalition encourages the State Government to request local governments to comply with any moratorium initiative.

The Stock Route Network

• The Stock Routes network is not disposed of, leased or long term agisted in part or whole nor further fragmented except as Annual Grazing Agreements carrying the conditions listed below.
• Rehabilitation may occur where necessary to address, rectify or contain any land degradation.
  The primary purpose is to accommodate the needs of travelling stock
• The network must be able to accommodate increased use which may result from rising fuel prices from peak oil and carbon trading.
• Other values including biodiversity, Aboriginal heritage and cultural values, post settlement heritage, social and tourism be protected.
• Permit only sustainable intermittent grazing under Annual grazing Agreements in the long term and permits to occupy and other forms of subordinate tenure which allow static grazing to be phased out over an acceptable timeframe.
• Other activities such as harvesting of surplus fodder may be supported depending on detail and provided the activity is within the management plan.(see Legislation dot point 3)
• The role of the Stock Route network in mitigating against Climate Change be acknowledged.

Legislation

• 

  Photo by Chris Tzaros
  Support for the development and enactment of stand alone Stock Route Legislation.
• Objects of the Act include protection of biodiversity, Aboriginal heritage and cultural values, post settlement heritage and other values besides the primary purpose of accommodating the needs of travelling stock.
• Head of power for and direction in the Act to the State Government to make a plan for the entire network. A detailed management plan is required.
• The State Plan for the entire network to be enforceable by regulation.
  Local Governments, where required, produce management plans adopting as a minimum the standards set in the State plan.
• Ensure Local Governments have adequate resources and the necessary powers to fulfil their duties and functions assigned including but not limited to the capacity to deal with breaches of regulations and plan for both biodiversity and heritage protection.

Stock Route Assessment Panel (SRAP)

• SRAP should be expanded to include persons with expertise on all the values of the network particularly conservation/environment and Aboriginal cultural heritage.
• New Terms of Reference be developed for the expanded SRAP to include but not be limited to management of all values of the Stock Route network 

Funding

• The Coalition supports the user pays concept.
• Funding grants to manage other values of the network may be available apart from fees derived from current uses
• Public funding assistance for fencing of unfenced SRN if appropriate, and maintenance of public good values.

Comment

The Coalition regards the above as essential objectives. It is appreciated that there is a current strategy but that is not as effective as a plan prepared by the State. Comparisons can be drawn to the State Coastal Management Plan required under the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995. A similar approach should be adopted for the Stock Route Network.

Initially the Coalition was hopeful that some form of tenure embracing the need to accommodate travelling stock and the protection of biodiversity, cultural heritage and other values of the stock route network could be achieved. The practicalities influenced the Coalition to consider other alternatives. Such alternatives could include nature refuge over sections of the network, conservation agreements with local authorities but these are unlikely to be achieved in the short term. The Premier has made a commitment not only to increase the National Park Estate by 2020 significantly there was also a commitment to increase the protected area estate as a whole up to 20% of Queensland by 2020. The Stock Route Network or parts thereof may make a very cost effective approach to achieving the Premier’s commitment. However any protection over “hotspots” such as areas of high conservation /biodiversity or indigenous or post settlement cultural values would be a step in the right direction and would receive Coalition support.

The Coalition stresses the need for the natural values of the network to be maintained and rehabilitated should there be a need while accommodating bona fide travelling stock. The Coalition appreciates the protection the Vegetation Management Act 1999 provides and that is to be commended but the ground layer, grasses etc are not protected. However the proposed legislation should establish enforceable minimum standards for sustainable grazing bearing in mind that there are several current models addressing sustainable grazing. The Coalition has yet to confirm its stance on an appropriate measure to address this critical concern. The Coalition also would appreciate milestones and targets for the delivery of enhanced management of this iconic “long paddock”.

The Coalition appreciates the opportunities it has had to discuss the Stock Route Network and present its views to the Minister for Natural Resources and Water, Premier, Director General and other senior bureaucrats. The Coalition has held discussions with AgForce Queensland and the Local Government Association and is of the opinion that there is much common ground. Our perspective is that there are only a few issues of contention and direct contact with these organisations could confirm our view.

The Coalition is of the opinion that our suggested directions for the legislation will ensure sustainable use of this significant asset and building our position into the legislation under consideration will undoubtedly strengthen broad community support for the Government.

1 December 2008.