Livestock

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Hindmarsh Shire Council has responsibilities for managing livestock on Council-managed roads, reserves and public places under the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 and Council's Municipal Local Law. Council's role includes responding to reports of escaped livestock, administering permits for moving livestock on public roads, managing livestock-related permit applications within township areas, and helping to protect public safety where livestock are present on public land. 

Livestock owners are responsible for ensuring their animals are adequately confined to their property and that fences and other containment measures are maintained to prevent livestock from escaping. Wandering livestock can create significant risks to road users, neighbouring properties and animal welfare.

Trespassing Livestock and Livestock in a Public Place

Council may investigate reports of livestock found wandering or trespassing on roads, road reserves, public places, Council land or neighbouring properties. Under the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994, Council has powers to take action where livestock are inadequately confined or repeatedly escape from a property. 

Depending on the circumstances, Council may:

  • Attempt to identify and contact the livestock owner.
  • Require livestock to be removed from a road, reserve or public place.
  • Issue notices requiring livestock to be adequately confined.
  • Issue notices objecting to the trespass of livestock.
  • Impound livestock found wandering at large.
  • Recover costs associated with the impounding, transport and care of livestock. 

Livestock owners may be subject to enforcement action where livestock continue to escape due to inadequate fencing or other containment measures. Council's first priority is to achieve compliance and protect public safety; however, formal enforcement action may be taken where ongoing issues are identified. 

Keeping Livestock in Residential and Township Areas

Council's Municipal Local Law regulates the keeping of animals within township areas and places limits on the number and type of animals that may be kept on a property. Livestock, including horses, ponies, donkeys, cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas and pigs, are subject to restrictions based on property size and location.

Residents wishing to keep livestock within a township area may be required to obtain an Excess Animal Permit from Council. Applications are assessed on their individual merits and may consider:

  • Property size and layout.
  • Adequacy of fencing and animal containment.
  • The number and type of animals proposed.
  • Potential impacts on neighbouring properties and local amenity.
  • Animal welfare considerations.
  • The suitability of the land for keeping livestock.

Council encourages residents to contact the Local Laws department before acquiring livestock to discuss applicable requirements and whether a permit is required.

Apply for an Excess Animal Permit

Further Information

The information below provides guidance on:

  • Droving Livestock – permit requirements and responsibilities when moving livestock on public roads or through public places.
  • Escaped Livestock – livestock owner responsibilities, reporting wandering livestock and Council's response when livestock are found on roads, reserves and other public places.

Droving Livestock

Droving Livestock (Moving Livestock Across or into/out of the Shire) on public land owned or managed by the Council and Council managed roads.

Droving is the act of moving livestock between properties by physical means either on foot, motorbike or car, and may or may not include the assistance of a working dog.

In Hindmarsh Shire Council, a permit is required for:
  • Droving livestock through the municipal district
  • Droving livestock into the district
  • Droving livestock out of the district
Conditions of the permit include:
  • Reasonable number of animals
  • Livestock must be healthy and disease-free
  • Route must be direct and avoid reserves/parks/conservation areas if possible
  • Adequate provisions for feeding, watering, and overnight containment if applicable
  • Livestock must be under control at all times
  • Drover must have Public Liability Insurance
Council notification:
  • Council may inform the Department of Transport (DTP), Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and or other relevant authorities about the route and livestock.
Responsibilities while droving include:

Drovers must:

  • Be competent in handling livestock
  • Minimize risks to road users and property
  • Drive livestock only during daylight with at least 300m visibility
  • Properly dispose of any dead livestock
  • Use warning signs as per Road Safety Rules 2009
  • Remove excess waste (excrement) from Council roads
  • Follow all permit conditions
Application to Drove Livestock in a Public Place:

Hindmarsh Shire Council requires all persons required to drove livestock on public roads or through public areas to apply for a Drove Livestock in a Public Place Permit. Through the Permit Application process, Council can ensure public safety and manage potential disruptions caused by livestock movement. This helps prevent accidents, minimizes traffic congestion, and protects the welfare of both the animals and the public.

To lodge an application to Drove Livestock in a Public Place, the application must include:

  • A completed Application Form (Online form and hardcopy form linked below)
  • A Certificate of Currency of a Public Liability Insurance Policy with a minimum cover of $20 million; the Certificate can be obtained by contacting your insurance provider and must be renewed annually and cover all proposed activity. Please note a tax invoice, a schedule of insurance or any other similar document is not a Certificate of Currency.
  • A detailed Site Plan showing the intended route and placement of traffic control devices such as personnel, signs, cones and barriers
  • A Risk Management Plan which identifies hazards and risks and provides a summary of current controls to eliminate and/or reduce the hazards/risks as far as practical. This Plan should guide all safety protocol and emergency management.

Apply Online - Greenlight Portal

Alternatively, you can download a hardcopy of the application form:
Application to Drove Livestock in a Public Place Form(PDF, 174KB)

Escaped Livestock

Council is governed by the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 and related regulations, which aim to ensure public safety and responsible animal management. These laws place the onus on livestock owners to adequately confine their animals and prevent them from wandering onto roads or neighbouring properties. Failure to do so can result in notices for corrective actions, fines, and impoundment of the livestock.

  • Public Safety:
    Escaped livestock on roads pose a serious hazard to motorists and other road users, emphasizing the importance of responsible livestock management. 
  • Council:
     Contact your local council for specific information and assistance related to escaped livestock within public land owned and/or managed by Council including Council Roads. Visit our Contact Us page.
  • VicRoads:
     Contact VicRoads for specific information and assistance related to escaped livestock within Department of Transport (DTP) roads. These roads are generally freeways and major arterial roads. Reports of livestock on roads can be made on their website here: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/report-a-road-issue. To report urgent road hazards, call 13 11 70.
  • Private land:
     Where livestock has trespassed into neighbouring properties, Council recommends that you first contact the owner/occupier of the land to plan for the recovery of the animals.
  • Agriculture Victoria:
     Visit the Agriculture Victoria website for information on livestock management, confinement, and impounding regulations.

For Livestock related enquiries, please contact the Local Laws department on 03 5391 4444 or email locallaws@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.

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