Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002

The Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 provides a framework and powers for improved management of weeds, pest animals and the stock route network.

Weeds and pest animals:

• degrade natural resources
• threaten conservation of biodiversity
• threaten remnant vegetation
• reduce rural production
• interfere with human health and recreational activities.

Weeds are the second greatest threat to biodiversity. The cost to Queensland is more than $600 million a year in lost production and control costs.

The stock route network consists of 72,000 km of stock routes and associated reserves with infrastructure such as water points and holding yards provided to facilitate the movement of walking stock. In addition to its traditional uses, the network has natural resource and cultural values, and stakeholders have a responsibility to manage them sustainably.

• Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 (Queensland Parlimentary Counsel website)