NSW government to review use, ownership of Travelling Stock Reserves

Lands Minister Paul Toole says the review “is not about a sell-off” of stock reserves, or a precursor to selling them, but confirmed it could inform future negotiations with local councils and Aboriginal Land Councils.

In 2015, drovers and graziers - particularly in the state’s west - were worried government’s pending Crown land reforms would see rules tweaked so lesser-used stock reserves could be dismantled and taken off government’s books, or cashed in. Those fears eased during stakeholder meetings during the past 18 months, with Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair insisting there would be no loss of public access to routes.

But management and ownership is now back in the spotlight. In announcing the new review, Mr Toole cited a 2013 study that found many TSRs were no longer used for their original purpose and said it was “important we increase our knowledge and understanding of this significant public asset”. Mr Blair said the review would feed future decisions about how the land could be “best reserved, managed and owned”.

“Having a complete and accurate map across the state will be vital in ensuring the future of TSRs aligns with livestock, production, recreation, Aboriginal, conservation and community priorities.”

Government has also announced a detailed audit of stock reserves in three particular councils - Tamworth Regional, Tweed Shire, and Federation “to paint a complete picture”.

Stock routes are Crown land parcels that serve as mustering corridors, pasture reserves during drought, and spaces for public recreation, apiaries, and conservation.  A quarter of NSW’s stock reserves - about 500,000ha or $430 million worth - is maintained by Local Land Services (LLS). Most of these routes are in eastern and central NSW. The remaining 1.5 million ha is managed by the NSW Department of Industry via tenures granted under Crown lands laws. Most of these are west of Walgett, Nyngan, and Hay.  

An IPART draft report in 2013 recommended LLS work towards cost neutral management of its share.  NSW Farmers policy director Jamie Lovell said it was crucial LLS managed stock reserves more effectively. “With a view to that outcome, and the need for TSRs to be retained for cultural heritage reasons and remaining in use during drought, we will be encouraging our members to make submissions,” Ms Lovell said. In its 2016 submission to the Crown Lands Inquiry, NSW Farmers said if government was intent upon divesting itself of Crown land, “it would require sufficient resourcing to ensure a proper, efficient process... which also maximises the financial and ‘public good’ return”. Government’s response to the Upper House Inquiry this month said there would be a parcel-by-parcel stock-take against the criteria before any land was transferred to local councils.