Ministerial Statement: STOCK ROUTES TO STAY IN QUEENSLAND, SAYS WALLACE

[ozbob]

Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland
The Honourable Craig Wallace
08/05/2008

STOCK ROUTES TO STAY IN QUEENSLAND, SAYS WALLACE

The Queensland Government has no intention to sell off or lease Queensland's iconic stock route network - in part or whole, Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said today.

"Droving stock is alive and well on Queensland's stock routes and likely to increase in future as the price of petrol rises," Mr Wallace said.

"The Queensland Government strongly supports these vital livestock routes - the so-called 'long paddock' - which covers 2.6 million hectares and runs for 72,000 kilometres," he said.

As well as servicing the pastoral industry, stock routes have a role in protecting biodiversity.

Mr Wallace said last year the government established a Stock Route Assessment Panel to the review the management and use of stock routes.

"The panel has only recently completed the report and has provided it to me," Mr Wallace said.

"I will look at this report in detaiI and announce the government's response to this report when that process is completed," he said.

"However, I can say that this government has no intention to sell off or lease the stock route in part or in whole.

"We are likely to see more, not less, stockmen and stockwomen droving mobs down stock routes in Queensland."

Recent media reports have called on the Queensland Government not to sell or lease parts of the stock route.

The Stock Route Assessment Panel included representatives from local government, cattle industry representatives nominated by Agforce Queensland, the Drovers Association and Land Protection Council members.

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[Huggies]

It still makes you wonder about the future of the Quilpie line. Definatly heading out that way later this year to smash that line.