Stock Routes Campaign strikes a chord

Some Australian icons bring together people from all walks of life! With the fate of Australia’s unique Travelling Stock Routes (TSR) Network in the balance, an alliance of drovers, graziers and conservation groups, including The Wilderness Society, has been formed to champion its long-term protection.

Australia's unique Travelling Stock Routes possess extraordinary natural and cultural heritage values. This Travelling Stock Route is near Coonabarabran, NSW. Photographer: Milton Judd

Over 500 scientists sent an open statement to the Premiers of NSW and Queensland, highlighting the network’s extraordinary natural and cultural heritage values. Country singer John Williamson enthusiastically backed the campaign. Attention from national and international media lifted the campaign to spectacular heights. Highlights include The 7.30 Report and a story in The Sunday Telegraph in London.

The NSW Government has responded favourably to the public campaign by stating that there are no plans to sell TSRs that contribute to environmental values or social, cultural and economic needs of the community. They also announced a major study into the TSRs of the Hunter region, with $260,000 in state funding - examining the future needs and uses of these Crown reserves and providing the basis of a model that can be applied across the state to better manage TSRs.

The Wilderness Society is still concerned that vast tracts of the network will be leased to raise revenue and we question how the state Government will protect and consistently manage TSRs across the state without a budget. 

Please join this important campaign today, call on the NSW premier to ensure:

• The network is managed consistently and professionally under a single system land manager
• The management of the TSR network is centrally funded
• The Department of Environment and Climate Change is one of the lead agencies

Email the Premier today, and let him know you want Australia's iconic Travelling Stock Routes protected:
thepremier@www.nsw.gov.au

For more information on the campaign, please contact Cecile van der Burgh
cecile.vanderburgh@wilderness.org.au
The Wilderness Society Sydney