Council
20 August, 2025
MP calls for roadside grazing
MEMBER for Western Victoria Bev McArthur has renewed calls for the Victorian Government to streamline roadside grazing policies in a bid to let “common sense prevail”.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Mrs McArthur raised a constituency question with Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne surrounding what she described as a critical issue for drought-prone Victoria’s farmers – “the bureaucratic red tape strangling roadside grazing known as the long paddock.”
“Minister, our farmers are the backbone of this state,” she said.
“During droughts they face unimaginable financial, physical and mental strain.
“Roadside grazing is a time-honoured lifeline providing free fodder when pastures fail.
“Grass grows on poorly maintained roadsides and goes to waste while livestock starve, yet councils, including Moyne shire in my electorate, are denying permits over absurd fears like cow manure splashing cyclists on quiet back roads.”
Mrs McArthur cited claims which had recently gained traction on social media of a Moyne Shire resident being told her cattle grazing the roadside presented a safety issue.
“Posie Mann, a farmer in Moyne, was reported for grazing her starving cattle on roadside grass,” she said.
“She was told, ‘It’s too risky. Manure might cause an accident. A cyclist might get splattered.’
“On a sleepy single-lane road this is bureaucratic nonsense.
“What about the farmers rights, or what about the cattle’s right to food?”
Mrs McArthur said the benefits of roadside grazing were clear.
“It addresses fodder shortages and, during drought, feed is incredibly expensive even if it is available, which it is not in many areas,” she said.
“As Posie has highlighted, she is rationing feed while her cattle continue to struggle, but she is trying to keep them alive – no help from the government or the council.
“It also cuts fire risk by managing roadside vegetation.
“We know it lowers fuel loads and can reduce fire spread. Badly maintained roadsides become fire wicks.”
Mrs McArthur said roadside grazing could also help reduce the threat of fire when summer arrives.
“Where invasive weeds dominate, grazing controls them; a problem becomes a solution,” she said.
“These are practical, proven outcomes rooted in tradition and backed by evidence, yet farmers face overregulation and excessive caution.
“Moyne’s reluctance to issue permits ignores low-traffic roads and farmers’ desperate needs.
“Ecologists raised concerns about native vegetation but this should be a consideration, not a roadblock. Safety issues like manure on roads are manageable with fencing, supervision and clean-up.
“Councils could set clear guidelines – electric fences, no night-time grazing and liability insurance.”
Mrs McArthur said it was “not rocket science” and urged the Minister to support efforts to streamline roadside grazing permits.
“I urge you to act – form a cross-government taskforce to streamline roadside grazing policies, simplify permits, set clear safety standards, prioritise farmers’ needs, cut the red tape and let common sense prevail,” she said.
“Our farmers deserve nothing less.”
Read More: local