Stock routes Guide

The Queensland stock route network has a long and rich history of supporting landholders.

Today, it is mainly used for moving stock, pasture for emergency agistment and long-term grazing.

The stock route network is also valued for its native flora and fauna and remnant vegetation, as well as for its Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural heritage. Stock routes contain major infrastructure for the transport of water, power and for communication.

To use the stock route network, you need permits for:

• travelling stock on foot
• grazing (agistment) of stock
• using water facilities.

Stock routes include 72,000km of roads, reserves, and corridors on pastoral leases and unallocated state land. Together with dedicated reserves for travelling stock, they make up the 2.6 million hectare Queensland stock route network.

This guide explains how the stock route network is managed and the permits you need to use the stock route.

• About the Queensland stock route network

  Stock routes have no separate title or tenure from the underlying road. The same roads are used for walking and agisting stock and vehicular transport. Reserves for travelling stock include camping and water reserves, pasture reserves and trucking reserves.

  The network is primarily used by the pastoral industry:

  • as an alternative to transporting stock by rail or road
  • for pasture for emergency agistment
  • for short-term grazing.

  A stock route can be a road or route identified as a stock route on the stock route map, or it may simply be any route that is customarily used for walking stock.

  History

  Stock routes have been part of Queensland's rural history for more than 150 years, evolving as settlers drove stock along corridors that followed river systems, Indigenous trade routes and trails.

  Between 1860 and 1890, established stock routes were recognised and dedicated as roads. Use declined in the 1950s and 1960s when road improvements made road transport more convenient and efficient.

  Increases in fuel prices and recurring droughts have made the stock route network a cost-effective alternative for moving stock and a vital source of pasture for emergency grazing.

  Cultural heritage

  The stock route network contains significant Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultural heritage and has been celebrated in the works of Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson. The Combo Waterhole at Winton is thought to be the location of the story that inspired Waltzing Matilda.

  Environmental value

  The stock route network has significant environmental value, in part because its unique interconnectedness and geographical extent allows for the movement of wildlife.

  Many stock routes are in highly cleared landscapes and are adjacent to waterways, providing habitat for threatened species.

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• Stock route maps

  Viewing the stock route map in PDF

  The PDF maps provide a broad overview of the state’s stock route locations in an easily accessible format. A separate map is also provided that only shows the changes applied since the previous map:

  • current stock route map (PDF, 17.6 MB)
  • changes applied on 24 Sept 2024 (PDF, 14.6 MB) .

  Alternatively, to view the map in greater detail or compare the stock route with other boundaries and features, you can use the Queensland Globe interactive mapping tool.

  Viewing the stock route map in Queensland Globe

  1. Go to Queensland Globe. Agree to the terms and conditions, then click Get started. It may take some time to fully load.
  2. Select Topics from the upper left margin.
  3. On the newly displayed menu, select Natural resources, then scroll down to Stock routes and click the blue arrow.
  4. Click Launch topic and Replace current topic. The stock route map should load and be displayed on the screen.
  5. On the left margin of the screen, click Layers to display the default layer names. To the left of each layer name is an eye icon . Click on the eye icon to toggle a layer on or off. Blue indicates it is turned on. Note that some layers will only display when zoomed in to an appropriate level.
  6. On the far right-centre of the screen, there is a small grey box containing a left arrow. Click this arrow to display the legend for the stock category names.
  7. To add other layers:
  1. Ensure the Layers tab is still selected in the left margin. Click Add layers.
  2. Scroll down to find the desired layer, noting that many layers can be expanded by clicking the down arrow to the right of the layer name. Also note that stock routes are under the Farming layer. Each layer can be de-selected and selected for display, as required.

  Tip: Due to the large data volumes being displayed, it may be better to zoom into your area of interest before selecting and deselecting layers.

  Visit the Queensland Globe help section to access help guides, tutorial videos and advanced feature documentation.

  Previous Queensland stock route map

  Links to historical stock route PDF maps are listed below.

  • Stock route map from 1 September 2023 to 23 September 2024 (PDF, 18.1 MB)
  • Stock routes map changes applied at 1 September 2023 (PDF, 15.4 MB)
  • Stock route map prior to 31 August 2023 (PDF, 11.4 MB)

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• Stock route management

  The Queensland Government manages the stock route network with local governments under the Stock Route Management Act 2002. Some grazing access is administered under the Land Act 1994, while the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 also includes relevant provisions.

  Local governments are responsible for:

  • day-to-day administration and management
  • some network maintenance.

  The Queensland Government is responsible for:

  • providing policy and legislative advice
  • operational guidelines
  • compliance support
  • reviewing decisions
  • managing asset maintenance
  • training local government stock route officers.

  Consultation report

  Extensive stakeholder engagement and consultation was previously undertaken to inform a review of the Stock Route Management Regulation 2003 and the Stock Route Network Management Strategy 2014 to 2019.

  This report summarises the outcomes of the resulting Stock Route discussion paper consultation.

  • Consultation Report - Stock Routes Discussion Paper (PDF, 902.7KB).

  Management strategy

  The Stock Route Network Management Strategy 2021–2025 (PDF, 890KB) sets out a clear plan of actions for state and local governments to deliver over the period of the strategy. It has been developed following consultation with stakeholders and the community.

  The strategy provides practical guidance to support the effective management and administration of the stock route network and to balance the multiple uses and values of the network.

  Stock route categories

  To enable the prioritisation of activities and funding, stock routes are categorised into 3 categories. The criteria for inclusion in these categories are provided below.

  Category 1 – Primary stock routes

  Category 1 routes have the following characteristics:

  • predominantly comprised of more productive and resilient land types
  • access to reliable water.

  They also meet one of the following criteria:

  • demonstrated history of frequent and high-volume use
  • identified by local governments to respond to increase in demand
  • necessary to ensure strategic connectivity to interstate stock routes.

  Productive and resilient land types are those that in their natural state:

  • are dominated by perennial, palatable and productive pasture species
  • have a moderate to high expected pasture density
  • have soil characteristics that pose lesser erosion and salinity risks and support pasture growth
  • are in a part of Queensland that experiences suitable conditions for recovery.

  These land types are generally more stable and could absorb disturbances and stresses such as grazing, agriculture, fire, drought, flood, pests and diseases. They can also recover to a state similar to their natural state, rather than an altered state.

  Reliable water means stock route water facilities or other waters that:

  • are sited approximately 10km apart on the network
  • have a groundwater or other perennial water source whose supply and quality are less likely to be impacted by total or intermittent decline or failure.

  Frequent and high-volume use means that 5,000 or more head of stock use the stock route annually. The usage figure is derived from individual years, or from the average of consecutive years if annual stock numbers vary greatly because of climate impacts on pasture availability and condition.

  Category 2 – Secondary stock routes

  Category 2 routes are stock routes that do not meet Category 1 criteria and have all the following characteristics:

  • comprised of less productive and resilient land types
  • demonstrated history of low use
  • limited access to reliable water.

  Low use means that fewer than 5,000 head of stock per year use the stock route. The usage figure is based on usage rates in favourable years. The usage figure is derived from individual years, or from the average of consecutive years if annual stock numbers vary greatly because of climate impacts on pasture availability and condition.

  Limited access to reliable water means stock route water facilities or other waters are either:

  • absent
  • sited more than 50km apart on the network
  • sourced from groundwater whose supply and quality are more likely to be impacted by total or intermittent decline or failure
  • sourced from other waters that are ephemeral, seasonal, or intermittent in supply.

  Category 3 – Tertiary (minor and unused) stock routes

  Category 3 routes are stock routes that do not meet Category 1 or 2. Any use on these stock routes will need to be negotiated with the relevant local government and state agency to ensure that values are not harmed, public safety is addressed and if for stock, that there is sufficient pasture or water available.

  Their characteristics include one or more of the following:

  • no recorded use as a stock route in the past 10-20 years
  • not practical for use by travelling stock but may have limited use for agistment
  • retained for environmental, cultural, historical, tourism or other values.

  Not practical for use means any of the following:

  • Travel or agistment of stock is likely to have an adverse effect on road safety.
  • Travel or agistment is impractical or poses unacceptable risks to humans and stock due to one or more of the following:
    • topography
    • dense vegetation
    • poisonous plant species
    • severe land degradation
    • lack of palatable and perennial pasture over a distance greater than 30km.

  • Historical routes that have environmental and cultural values or potential to support tourism in regional areas.

  Stock route network management plans

  The following local governments in central and western Queensland are required to have local management plans for their area of the stock route network. Contact the relevant local government listed below to view a copy of their plan.

  • Balonne Shire Council
  • Banana Shire Council
  • Barcaldine Regional Council
  • Barcoo Shire Council
  • Blackall Tambo Regional Council
  • Boulia Shire Council
  • Central Highlands Regional Council
  • Diamantina Shire Council
  • Flinders Shire Council
  • Goondiwindi Regional Council
  • Isaac Regional Council
  • Longreach Regional Council
  • Maranoa Regional Council
  • McKinlay Shire Council
  • Murweh Shire Council
  • Paroo Shire Council
  • Richmond Shire Council
  • Western Downs Regional Council
  • Winton Shire Council

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• Stock route travel permits

  You must apply to the relevant local government for an appropriate permit to move or graze stock on the stock route network.

  When you’ll need a travel permit

  You must apply for a stock route travel permit to move stock on foot on:

  • stock routes
  • reserves for travelling stock
  • roads and other land under local government control
  • unallocated state land adjoining any of these listed land types.

  Exemptions

  You do not need a permit when moving stock between properties if all the following apply:

  • the properties are owned by the same landowner and worked as a single enterprise
  • travel occurs during a single day in daylight hours
  • travel is for animal husbandry or property management purposes only.

  You also do not need a stock route network travel permit to transport stock by truck or rail, but other legal requirements when transporting animals may apply.

  Before you apply

  Before moving stock, ensure that you:

  • Understand the regulations for transporting stock.
  • Contact all the relevant local governments and consider inspecting the proposed route to determine its condition and suitability for travel.
  • Apply for a grazing (agistment) permit if stock require spelling.
  • Complete/create a movement record.

  Who can apply

  Any stock owner or their authorised agent can apply for a travel permit.

  You do not need to live in the local government area where the application is submitted. The stock owner is the holder of the permit.

  Fees

  Application fee of $159.00 per application paid to the relevant local government/s.

  The fee is calculated by the local government when the application is approved and must be paid before the permit is issued.

  For each day eligible stock is being moved on foot under the permit, there is a fee of fee 6133 for each group of:

  • up to 20 head of large stock
  • up to 140 head of small stock.

  Definitions

  In relation to a permit fee for a permit:

  • eligible large stock means alpacas, asses, buffaloes, camels, cattle, deer, donkeys, horses, llamas, mules or vicunas.
  • eligible small stock means goats and sheep.

  Exceptions

  Under a travel permit, permit fees are not charged for the permit for:

  • unweaned stock that is less than 6 months old travelling with their mother
  • stock travelling to a gymkhana or rodeo
  • horses used for droving stock.

  Conditions

  In the case of infant stock, the application must demonstrate that any infants are travelling with, and reliant on, their mother. Young stock that are grazing and not reliant on their mother for feed and nutrients will not meet this criterion.

  All stock must be fit and able to travel at the minimum permitted rate.

  How to apply

  • Complete the Application for a stock route travel permit (PDF, 245.1 KB) .
  • Lodge it with the relevant local government at least 7 days before travel is to start.
  • Payment of the relevant application fee.

  Note: Applications can generally be lodged in person or by post, fax or email (check with the local council).

  Stock welfare

  If for health reasons stock require spelling, the permit holder will need to apply for a 7-day grazing (agistment) permit.

  Alternative arrangements should be made for agistment or spelling in case a grazing (agistment) permit cannot be issued.

  Application assessment

  The local government will assess the application by considering:

  • pasture levels on the route
  • availability and suitability of water
  • likelihood the stock’s travel will spread a declared pest or notifiable disease
  • whether the minimum travel rate of 10km per day can be met by the stock
    or
    if a lesser rate is permitted, whether the lesser rate can be sustained for the entire journey
  • impacts on road traffic infrastructure and road safety.

  Once the application has been assessed, you will receive a written notice of the decision.

  Related links

  Read about review of local government decisions.

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• Grazing (agistment) permits for travelling stock

  You must apply to the relevant local government for an appropriate permit to move or graze stock on the stock route network.

  When you’ll need a grazing (agistment) permit

  A stock route grazing (agistment) permit is required to agist stock on:

  • stock routes
  • reserves for travelling stock
  • roads under local government control.

  The purpose of the permit is to provide short-term relief while longer term strategies are put in place.

  Grazing (agistment) permits issued for travelling stock under a stock route travel permit are valid for a maximum of 7 days and cannot be renewed. Permits for other stock are issued for a maximum for 28 days and can be renewed once only.

  Before you apply

  Contact the relevant local government for the preferred agistment locations.

  Who can apply

  You are eligible for a grazing (agistment) permit if you:

  • are a landowner whose land is adversely affected by drought, fire or flood
    or
  • hold a stock route travel permit and the stock require agistment for branding, crutching, dipping, drenching, jetting, shearing or trucking
    or
  • spell the stock to comply with an obligation imposed by animal welfare legislation
    or
  • are responding to a notice by local government inviting applications for agistment of stock.

  You are not eligible to apply if you have held a grazing (agistment) permit for the land in the 3 months immediately before the date of application.

  You do not need to reside in the local government area where the application is submitted.

  Fees

  Application fee of $159.00 per application paid to the local government.

  When deciding the fee, local government considers the:

  • characteristics of the land such as topography, vegetation
  • number and type of stock to be agisted under the permit
  • reason for the agistment of stock
  • weather conditions forecast by the Bureau of Meteorology for the term of the permit
  • quality of pasture available for agistment
  • accessibility of water at the agistment site
  • proposed use of travelling stock facilities (including water facilities)
  • commercial agistment rates in the local government area for the type of stock to be agisted.

  Once a permit has been issued, you must pay the local government the amount shown on the permit.

  The fee range set by legislation is given below.

  Type of stock	Minimum fee per week (or part of week)	Maximum fee per week (or part of week)
  For each head of eligible large stock	fee 6127	fee 6128
  For each 5 head (or part) of eligible small stock	fee 6130	fee 6131

  Exceptions

  Fees are not charged for the agistment permit if the stock is travelling to a gymkhana or rodeo under a stock route travel permit and you need to agist the stock to:

  • brand, crutch, dip, drench, jet, shear, or truck; or

  • spell the stock to comply with an obligation imposed by animal welfare legislation.

  Definitions

  • Eligible large stock means alpacas, asses, buffaloes, camels, cattle, deer, donkeys, horses, llamas, mules or vicuna.
  • Eligible small stock means goats and sheep.

  How to apply

  • Complete the Application for a stock route grazing (agistment) permit (PDF, 533.9 KB) .
  • Lodge it with the relevant local government.
  • Payment of the relevant application fee.

  Note: Applications can generally be lodged in person or by post, fax or email (check with the local council).

  Conditions

  • If responding to a local government notice, you must lodge your application within 7 days.
  • If applying for agistment of travelling stock, apply at least 3 days before the proposed agistment period.
  • If applying for other reasons, allow at least 7 days for your application to be processed.

  Application assessment

  The local government will assess the application by considering the:

  • likely requirements of travelling stock for pasture and water
  • local stock route network management plan
  • likelihood that agistment will introduce or spread a declared pest or degrade the land
  • impacts on road safety.

  Once the application has been assessed, you will receive a written notice of the decision.

  Related links

  Read about review of local government decisions.

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• Review of local government decisions

  You can apply for a review of a local government decision if you are not satisfied with a decision to:

  • refuse to grant a permit
  • refuse to renew a permit
  • impose conditions on the permit
  • refuse to amend conditions on the permit
  • cancel the permit.

  Apply for a review

  • Complete the Application for a review of a local government decision (PDF, 181.1 KB) .
  • Email to: stockroutemanagement@resources.qld.gov.au; or
  • Post to:
    Manager
    State Land and Stock Route Management
    PO Box 9454
    WILSONTON  QLD  4350

  Permit cancellation

  A current permit may be cancelled if:

  • you supplied false or misleading information in your application
  • you breach the permit conditions
  • the stock route can no longer provide enough pasture or water for the travelling stock
  • the land can no longer provide enough pasture for grazing stock (including the likely needs of travelling stock).

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• Stock route water facility agreements

  You must apply to the local government before taking water from a stock route water facility. Taking water without an agreement or permit is an offence.

  Stock route water facilities

  Stock route water facilities are established water points located along the stock route network and include:

  • artesian bores
  • sub-artesian bores
  • dams
  • wells.

  These facilities may be located either:

  • on reserves for travelling stock
    or
  • on a road or route identified as a stock route on the stock route map.

  Landowner use of stock route water facilities

  Water facilities are mainly for the use of travelling stock. However, where the capacity of a facility exceeds the needs of travelling stock, nearby landowners wanting to take water may apply for a stock route water facility agreement. These agreements are contracts between:

  • the landowner
  • a local government
  • the Queensland Government.

  Types of agreements

  Agreements are required to:

  • access a supply of water from a stock route facility for stock or domestic purposes, with an option to perform facility maintenance
  • supply water to a stock route facility from a landholder's private facility
  • water travelling stock at a landowner's private water facility
  • construct a water facility on either the stock route network or the landowner's property.

  Fees

  Domestic purposes

  Water accessed for domestic purposes is charged at a flat fee, which is indexed annually.

  Stock watering purposes

  Stock watering fees are calculated according to the area watered method.

  This applies the following equation: Annual fee = Potential benefited area x Indexed rate.

  The potential benefited area is the radial area surrounding a water point (5km radius for cattle and 2.5km radius for sheep), which represents the relative benefit a landholder is getting from accessing water from the stock route water facility. The indexed rate is linked to the average property value per hectare, which is calculated by dividing the unimproved property valuation by the total area of the property.

  A minimum stock watering fee applies, which is indexed annually.

  Combined domestic and stock purposes

  In cases where water is being taken for both domestic and stock purposes, the calculated fee for stock is added to the flat fee for domestic use to determine the total amount payable.

  Waiving or reduction in fees

  Fees may be waived or reduced if:

  • there is temporary loss of water or diminished supply
    or
  • the landholder negotiates with the local government to undertake regular maintenance of the facility.

  How to apply

  • Complete the Application for a stock route water facility agreement (PDF, 250 KB) .
  • Lodge it with relevant local government.

  Note: Applications can generally be lodged in person or by post, fax or email (check with the local council).

  Application assessment

  The local government will assess the application and contact you when this has been completed.

  Review of water agreements

  Water agreements are reviewed every 5 years, but any of the parties to the agreement can ask for a review at any time.

  Termination of water agreements

  Water agreements are automatically terminated when the landholder's property is sold or transferred. New owners wishing to continue with arrangements must make a new agreement.

  Agreements can also be terminated:

  • by agreement
    or
  • by any party giving 90 days’ notice
    or
  • if the facility loses its water source permanently.

  Register of water agreements

  Local governments are required to maintain a register of water agreements, which can be accessed by the public for a fee. Contact the relevant local government for details.

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• Stock Route Management System (SRMS)

  Note: Access to the online Stock Route Management System (SRMS) is only available to local government. The system is not available to the public.

  SRMS provides access to a map-based electronic system for local governments to:

  • create stock route travel permits
  • create grazing (agistment) permits
  • create water agreements
  • calculate fees.

  The system stores all entered data and relevant information including:

  • travel route
  • contact details
  • stock details
  • fees.

  The water agreement component also stores billing information so that periodic reports for annual billing schedules may be generated.

  Access the SRMS

  Local governments can access the SRMS online.

  • Login to the SRMS

  Training in a test version

  For training purposes, local government access is available to a test version of the SRMS.

  Note: Any permits created in the test system will not be saved.

Stock routes, 28 Aug 2023, [https://oss-uat.clients.squiz.net/environment/land/access/stock-routes]

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