Log of Claims

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The Stock Routes Coalition Log of Claims (Queensland)

Our Aim: Protected Corridors for Travelling Stock and Biodiversity Conservation

 

Preamble

The Stock Routes Coalition acknowledges that the current Government has advised that in Queensland none of the network will be sold or leased. The Stock Routes 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. It is acknowledged that Local Authorities have been devolved certain powers and the Stock Routes Coalition encourages the Government to request local authorities to comply with any moratorium initiative by Government.

Broad Principles

  • The Stock Routes network is not disposed of, leased or long-term agisted in part or whole nor further fragmented.
  • Rehabilitation of vegetation occurs where necessary.
  • All values including meeting the needs of bona fide travelling stock, biodiversity, Aboriginal heritage and cultural values, post settlement heritage, social and tourism must be protected.
  • On active stock routes that support high conservation or Aboriginal heritage and cultural values these must be protected while accommodating the needs of travelling stock.
  • Allow only sustainable intermittent grazing.
  • Other activities that contribute to the wise and sustainable management of the stock route network while conserving all values may be supported depending on the situation and details.
  • The role of the Stock Route network in mitigating against and adapting to Climate Change be acknowledged and incorporated into relevant State plans.
  • The network must be able to accommodate increased use which may result from rising fuel prices from peak oil and carbon trading.
  • Support for the development and enactment of stand alone Stock Route legislation.

Legislative Requirements

  • The objects of the Act to include accommodating the needs of bona fide travelling stock as the primary purpose except where other values are more significant. Other values may include but not necessarily be limited to protection of biodiversity, Aboriginal heritage and cultural values, post settlement heritage and tourism.
  • The need for an accountable, understandable and transparent process to declare active and inactive components of the stock route is stipulated in legislation.  That process is to be enshrined in regulation.
  • Areas of high conservation value to be protected by tenure that enables such lands to contribute to the protected area estate.
  • Head of power in the Act for the State Government to make a plan for the entire network enforceable by regulation
  • Provide revenue opportunities from use of the stock route network.
  • Ensure appropriate penalties and disincentives for non compliance with legislation.
  • Local Governments, where required, produce management plans adopting as a minimum the standards set in the State plan.
  • Ensure Local Governments have the powers to deal with breaches of regulations and plan for both biodiversity and heritage protection.

Stock Route Assessment Panel (SRAP)

  • Current Terms of Reference be expanded to address management of all values of the Stock Route network.
  • SRAP must be expanded to include persons with expertise on all the values of the network particularly conservation/environment and Aboriginal cultural heritage.

Funding

  • The Stock Routes Coalition supports the user pays concept. All users must contribute financially to the management of the stock route network and should not gain a financial advantage from use of a public utility at no cost.
  • Other sources of funds to manage values of the network other than those associated with the grazing industry must be explored.
  • Support for the use of public funds including consolidated revenue for fencing of unfenced SRN if appropriate, and maintenance of public good values.
  • Local Authorities should not be required to meet shortfalls in management costs of the stock route network provided that the Local Authority is managing the network in accordance with an approved management plan that satisfy standards set in the State Plan.


Endorsed by Stock Routes Coalition                                                        August 2009.