Central Qld stock route upgrades through $1M agriculture investment
“These funds will allow councils, the network‘s primary caretakers, to carry out the works they have nominated as a priority”: Here’s the region’s set to benefit from the network upgrade.
Central Queensland
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Stock routes through Central Highlands, Winton and Banana Shires will be upgraded as part of a million dollar investment focusing on Queensland‘s vital 72,000 km stock route network.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart announced funding to nine local councils for maintenance and capital projects from McKinlay Shire in the north west to Goondiwindi on the border.
“The agricultural industry is a traditional strength of Queensland’s and is a key part of the Palaszczuk Government’s economic recovery plan from COVID-19,” he said.
“The stock route network is a key piece of infrastructure for our $18.5 billion agriculture sector, with drovers moving and feeding up to 330,000 head of stock across the network each year.
“These funds will allow councils, the network’s primary caretakers, to carry out the works they have nominated as a priority so that Queensland graziers can continue to rely on the network.”
The annual injection of funds will be shared across projects submitted by nine local governments – Balonne, Banana, Central Highlands, Goondiwindi, McKinlay, Maranoa, Murweh, Western Downs and Winton – ranging from desilting dams to replacing or installing solar-powered water pumps.
The stock routes capital investment is part of more than $42 million being invested into Queensland’s resources sector and land programs in 2021-22.
Meanwhile, consultation remains open on a discussion paper which proposes changes to the use and management of stock routes.
AgForce and the Local Government Association of Queensland have welcomed the release of the discussion paper.
Mr Stewart said the proposed changes were about ensuring the fees users paid were reinvested in maintaining the stock route network.
Consultation on the discussion paper closes on Friday, September 3.
To get involved and provide your feedback on the discussion paper, visit haveyoursay.resources.qld.gov.au/stock-routes.
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