DROVERS and graziers are prepared for a showdown with government as fears emerge that the state's historic travelling stock routes will be closed and sold.
Lobby group, Combined Action to Retain Routes for Travelling Stock (CARRTS), will demand assurances from Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair the public livestock corridors will be improved - and not dismantled for cash - during a meeting at Sydney on October 15.
CARRTS president and grazier Hamish Thompson, Coolah, said there was anxiety throughout the bush that the government's current review of stock routes was more about raising funds, and less about protecting the traditional use of the long paddock.
"Our main issue is how they are being managed and what is going to happen in the future," Mr Thompson said.
"It's a widespread concern.
"It's the access to using them - a lot of (the stock routes) are being leased out long-term - it just takes away the availability and access to them in times of drought."
Drover Mark "Smiley" Fraser, Cooma, has spent more time on the state's travellng stock routes than most.
Last week Mr Blair unveiled a draft planning framework for the future of the 500,000-hectare, $426 million travelling stock route network, which is managed by Local Land Services (LLS).
Public consultation on the framework is open until November 3 - after which each of the 11 LLS regions will develop plans to address specific local issues, such as weed control, fencing repairs, and emergency management.
"While access for travelling stock will continue to remain the primary purpose for our reserve network, it is important that LLS balances this with economic, cultural, recreational and environmental uses," Mr Blair said.
But drovers and graziers who use stock routes were sceptical of LLS' ability to manage the public asset, and claimed negligence and needless beauracracy the chief reasons the travelling stock group was formed in May.
The group said hundreds of producers were unable to use stock routes properly because they couldn't physically access them, or gaining approval to do so was difficult.
Group president Hamish Thom-pson said members' individual concerns would be raised during the meeting with Mr Blair - including claims some stock route users had had butted heads with LLS staff.
Weddin Shire Deputy Mayor John Niven is an outspoken critic of LLS's management of stock routes, particularly the Central West LLS's decision to fence off a section at Burangong Creek at Bimbi.
The route was fenced off in September 2014 after a Lachlan Catchment Manag-ement survey identified an endangered box gum grassy woodlands community.
The Grenfell Record reported a number of the box gums had been strangled by pepper trees, and despite repeated requests by council, Bimbi Rural Fire Service, and local residents to have the fence removed, it remained a fire and flood hazard, and forced travelling stock to detour through the nearby village.
LLS said it would work with stakeholders to reach a solution.
Stock routes aren't just of benefit to travelling stock. They contain ecological and heritage assets, and can be used for recreation as well as other agricultural industries such as beekeeping.
Long-time stock route user Geoff Hannaford, Hannaford Pastoral, Braidwood, said improved maintenance was the only necessary government action on the long paddock.
Mr Hannaford uses stock routes three to four times a year, and last week drovers walked 960 of his cattle between grazing land at Young and West Wyalong.
"We started using them during the drought years as a bit of a refuge, and we've just continued to use them as a management tool," Mr Hannaford said.
"They do need tidying up, but it would be a pity to see them changed. What's that old saying? If it ain't broke, don't fix it?
"To disband them would be a crime."
Leave the long paddock alone
DROVER Mark "Smiley" Fraser, Cooma, has spent more time on the state's travellng stock routes than most.
And the 36-year-old reckons the long paddock should be left alone.
Mr Fraser was on the road with 960 cattle from Hannaford Pastoral, Braidwood, last week, moving the herd though public reserves between Young and West Wyalong.
"I've heard a little bit from people about (fears over) closing the routes," Mr Fraser said.
"I've spent a fair bit of time out there. It's a bad idea."
Mr Fraser (pictured) has been a drover for 10 years, and said meeting new people on the road was among the most satisfying perks of the job.
"Meeting different people, working outside. It's a good job, I'll be doing it for a while I think."
"But I'd like them to keep (the routes) as they are."
- ALEX?DRUCE
