South Burnett councillors urge farmers to apply for roadside grazing permits

Graziers across the Burnett have been urged to apply for roadside grazing permits to help feed stock and keep fire fuel on public land to a minimum as the ‘cruel’ conditions persist.

As the dry conditions steadily worsen with little to no respite in sight, the South Burnett Council has urged its graziers to apply for roadside grazing permits if their paddocks have run out of grass. PICTURED: Angus cattle. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

As the dry conditions steadily worsen with little to no respite in sight, the South Burnett Council has urged its graziers to apply for roadside grazing permits if their paddocks have run out of grass.

Councillor Kirsty Schumacher said that the ongoing dry conditions and lack of rain were having a major impact on land.

“There is nothing left in the paddocks, it is quite cruel and we are all doing it very tough,” Ms Schumacher said.

Councillor Scott Henschen said it would take “an enormous amount” of rain to get some relief from the harsh conditions.

“To get us back on a level playing field, the South Burnett needs 180mm of rain,” Mr Henschen said.

As the dry conditions steadily worsen with little to no respite in sight, the South Burnett Council has urged its graziers to apply for roadside grazing permits if their paddocks have run out of grass.

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Both councillors agree roadside grazing can also help with the ongoing fire threat by allowing cattle to graze and help keep down the grass on the side of roads.

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Ms Schumacher said it would provide an opportunity to “keep down that fuel for potential fires.”

She said feedback she had received from land holders told her obtaining the permit, called the stock route grazing permit, was “too hard” but she disagreed.

“It’s not an arduous process,” Ms Schumacher said.

Council CEO Mark Pitt said he suspected some farmers were already running their cattle on the road but stressed that having a permit would save them from any unforeseen hassles.

“It’s in their own best interest for the liability side of it so if something happened, they would have the permit and it covers them,” he said.

“There’s no fee and anyone can apply for a permit,” Mr Pitt said.

As the dry conditions steadily worsen with little to no respite in sight, the South Burnett Council has urged its graziers to apply for roadside grazing permits if their paddocks have run out of grass.

Mr Henschen advised land holders who planned to apply for permits to speak with their neighbours first.

“Contact and liaise with your neighbours … I really encourage community conversation,” he said.

He also had a message for anyone driving through roadside grazing.

“The people, the community, the travellers, the tourists, take three minutes or 30 minutes extra to go through the cows,” Mr Henshen said.

To obtain the stock route grazing permit, landholders need to have public liability insurance (minimum of $20 million) along with other conditions which can be found on the South Burnett Council website.