New rules are now in effect for stock in NSW that stray on to public roads or trespass on to private land, with owners facing fines amounting to $660 per animal.
Murray River Council director of planning and environment Rod Croft said the new laws would hopefully create stronger incentives for people to take responsibility for their property in public spaces.
The rules are not exclusive to stock.
“With stronger regulatory and enforcement powers, our compliance team now has clear guidelines on how to manage stray stock animals, vehicles, shopping trolleys and other items left in public,” Mr Croft said.
“Stray stock in particular would be the most prominent issue for our team, so regular offenders will now have to take responsibility for their stock or face hefty fines.”
The new laws, which come under the NSW Government’s Public Spaces (Unattended Property) Act 2021, puts accountability firmly on owners of stock to do the right thing.
“If stock stray, owners should quickly collect their animals and take immediate steps to prevent them from becoming unattended again,” Murray River Council advised.
Councils and residents were given a ‘grace period’ until the beginning of May, six months after the new laws were introduced in November 2022.
Mr Croft said it was now time for regular offenders to do the right thing.
“Public safety is the number one priority, and stock straying on roads can be a real hazard to motorists, especially in vast rural areas like ours,” he said.
“Most stock owners have good intentions and rectify their fencing or other issues if an animal happens to escape.
“But for those who won’t attend to the issue within a reasonable time frame, the possibility of regulatory action is now in force.”
Along with public safety, Mr Croft said stray stock could also create biosecurity risks by spreading weeds and other pests between properties.
Members of the public are recommended to “always contact” the animal’s owner first, if known.
If unsuccessful, they can contact the public land authority and notify them.
Landowners who find stock wandering on their private land are able to take possession of the animal but must inform the animal’s owner within 24 hours, and return the animal to the owner within four days.
They may also contact the public land authority within four days and arrange for it to be taken to a place of care.
Cats and dogs are not included under the act, unless in relation to dogs in a national park.
For further information on the new laws, go to https://dpe.mysocialpinpoint.com.au/unattended-property/faqs/