Livestock

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Under the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 in Victoria, councils are responsible for managing impounded livestock, including providing adequate care, attempting to locate the owner, and serving notices. They also have duties to issue public notices of sale, manage the release of livestock upon owner identification, and can recover costs from owners. 

Councils must maintain livestock pounds, ensure adequate food, water, and veterinary care, and uphold other responsibilities such as managing fencing and dealing with inadequately confined or trespassing livestock on public land.

Hindmarsh Shire Council also 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, this is a requirement of councils municipal Local Law. 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.

See below the requirements of managing livestock in Hindmarsh Shire:

  • Landowners must ensure fencing is secure enough to prevent livestock from escaping.
  • All animals must be kept in sanitary environment that is regularly cleaned and kept in good order and repair with adequate drainage and shade.
  • Proper provision must be made for the storage of and dispersal of food and for adequate supply of water for all animals.
  • Livestock, including but not limited to horses, cattle, sheep, goats or pigs, are not permitted to be kept within a residential or township area unless a Permit for the keeping of excess animals(PDF, 180KB) has been obtained from Council.
  • Deceased animals must be disposed of in a hygienic way.
  • An owner of animals, or occupier of land on which they are kept, must ensure no noise or smell emanates from the property such that it is a nuisance to neighbours.

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(PDF, 174KB)
  • 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.

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 escaped Livestock emergencies, please contact the Local Laws department on 03 5391 4444, 0428 500 244 or email locallaws@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.

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