Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is reminding the public of the dos and don’ts on the Stock Route network, technically known as Travelling Stock Reserves or TSRs.
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The TSRs are Crown Land originally established for the droving of sheep and cattle. The ‘Long Paddock’ remains an important network for the movement of stock and has become a feed reserve for farmers in times of drought.
Stock routes are also valued for their social, cultural and environmental benefits. As a general guide, the following passive recreational activities are permitted on TSRs during daylight hours: bushwalking, fishing, bird watching, horse riding, swimming, picnicking and cycling.
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services manages over 350 TSRs covering 46,375 hectares within the local shire council boundaries of Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Inverell, Armidale Dumaresq, Uralla, Guyra and Walcha.
This area includes a combination of reserves that were previously part of the New England Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA), North Coast LHPA, and North West LHPA districts.
To maintain and protect this valuable public land for the benefit of the farming sector and the broader community, some activities are not permitted on TSRs.
The collection of firewood and the removal of timber from TSRs is illegal, as is the extraction of soil, rocks, and water, and the dumping of rubbish or animal carcases.
Riding motor bikes or quad bikes, and driving 4WD vehicles is also not allowed. Other illegal activities include shooting, archery, trapping, the use of pig dogs and other forms of hunting.
TSR permit holders need to be aware of and adhere to the conditions on their permit and no supplementary feeding (particularly hay) is allowed on TSRs due to the potential spread of weeds. Licks may be used if approved by an authorised officer.
These restrictions are backed by legislation and subject to various fines and penalties enforced under legislation by authorised officers. TSR Rangers and Field Officers do have to follow this guiding legislation.
“We appreciate most people do the right thing but when someone steps outside permitted activities, we have a responsibility to protect the interests of the whole community”, said Northern Tablelands Local Land Services TSR Team Leader, Ross Fuller.
Funds to cover the costs of managing the TSR network are raised primarily through fees charged for Grazing Permits. Apiarists also use the TSRs and are charged a fee for keeping their hives on the TSR network.
TSR related policies and procedures are currently being reviewed by Northern Tablelands Local Land Services. However the policies previously applied on each individual TSR will remain in place until the review is finalised.
Opportunities will be provided for feedback on new policies as Northern Tablelands Local Land Services works towards a consistent strategy for managing TSRs across the region.