Livestock Movement (Droving, Grazing and Stock Crossings)

Livestock Droving and Grazing

Droving or grazing livestock on a Council Road or Council Land requires a permit under the Community Living Local Law Number 1 2018.

Droving or grazing livestock on VicRoads Land may require permit by VicRoads.

Livestock owners who obtain the relevant permits will also be required to comply with all conditions of the permit, which may include:

• the route of livestock movement
• any required road signage and lighting
• traffic control
• the number of experienced personnel required to move the livestock
• the number of livestock that can be moved
• the day and time the livestock can be moved
• the required equipment or lighting
• any other requirements to protect the road or road reserve.

For more information about the movement of livestock, please contact Council on (03) 5832 9700, or VicRoads on 13 11 71.

Livestock Movement and Stock Crossings

If you wish to move livestock across or along a road or road reserve, written permission must be obtained from the relevant road authority; either VicRoads or Council.  Please note that livestock cannot be driven, moved or grazed on a prohibited road. For more information on prohibited roads, please contact Council.

Moving livestock on a Council Road or Council Land as a stock crossing on any road does not require a Local Laws permit under the Community Living Local Law Number 1 2018, but are required to comply with the following requirements:

• Ensure all livestock shall reach their destination by the most direct route, consistent with the requirements of this Local Law and any direction of an authorised officer.
• Ensure livestock are only to be on the road for the time it reasonably takes to move them to their destination.
• Ensure, as far as possible, the livestock are moved during daylight hours.
• Comply with any direction from an authorised officer with regard to:
  • the route to be followed
  • the protection from damage likely to be caused by livestock to the road, native roadside vegetation, any construction on the road, roadside drainage, or private property.
• Ensure the livestock are supervised and under effective control by a person who is competent in the management of livestock.
• Ensure any livestock excretion, mud or other debris deposits on the road pavement are removed if required by an authorised officer for prevention of danger to other road users.
• Comply with other relevant legislation, including the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994.
• Comply with all the requirements of the guidelines prepared by the Roads Corporation and referred to in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017.

The owner or occupier of any land to or from which livestock are being driven, moved or grazed, shall be responsible to ensure:

• adequate surface treatment measures in accordance with Council’s requirements are applied between the carriageway and each property access point
• a vehicular crossing constructed in accordance with Council’s requirements is provided and maintained at points where livestock either enter or exit the land.

Livestock Traffic Warning Signs

A person involved in droving, movement or grazing of livestock must ensure that adequate warning of the presence of livestock on the road is given to other road users or potential road users.

Apart from any other warnings considered appropriate, such person must display signs conforming to guidelines prepared by the Roads Corporation and referred to in the Road Safety Road Rules 2017. Any signs must be removed from the road at the time of completing such droving, movement or grazing of livestock.

In addition to complying with any permit or other conditions relating to:

• warning signs to other road users
• lighting requirements
• the location, size, contents and colour of such devices,

the person in charge of livestock must have regard to:

• any Australian Standards for such purposes
• any other signage necessary for road safety having regard to topography, conditions, livestock type and numbers
• any other requirements of the Roads Corporation.

For more information about the movement of livestock, please contact Council on (03) 5832 9700, or VicRoads on 13 11 71.

Livestock Droving or Grazing Application Form