NSW Government urged not to sell off stock route network

The Wilderness Society (Sydney) Inc
National Parks Association of NSW
Nature Conservation Council

Media Release
16 May 2008

As the NSW government awaits a report on the future of the state’s Travelling Stock Route network, conservation groups are urging the Premier to protect their extraordinary ecological and cultural values.

“Travelling Stock Routes are an integral part of Australia’s rural history and important biodiversity reservoirs. They also provide vital wildlife corridors across denuded landscapes, are critical for many migratory bird species and give protection against the impacts of climate change” says Cecile van de Burgh from The Wilderness Society.

The area of stock routes in NSW has already been reduced from over 2 million ha in 1975 to less than 600,000 ha in 2001. Further ‘disposal’ and sell-off by the Department of Lands, a reduction in resources to manage the land, long-term private leasing and industrial logging are all further threatening the network.

“The Premier should follow the example of the Queensland government which has promised not to sell off Stock Routes in its jurisdiction, says Bev Smiles of the National Parks Association.

“If the Premier is serious about his State Plan, serious about tackling climate change and serious about the environment he should immediately commit to the long term protection of these iconic routes”.

From about 1830 on, drovers used the routes to walk stock long distances between properties and markets. They were set aside in public ownership and widely celebrated in Australia’s songs, poems and stories. The routes provide employment for local rangers as well as many benefits to the livestock industry and the wider community.