4Stock droving on a SCR#
The stock owner is responsible for obtaining a permit from the local government (when on a stock route) or TMR (when not on a stock route).
The stock owner is responsible for ensuring the safety of traffic throughout the period the stock is within the boundaries of a SCR and for the placement and removal of traffic signs. The stock owner must ensure any people involved in the movement of the stock, such as a drover, are aware of the conditions of the permit issued for the droving activity.
For road safety purposes, a permit may be refused if it includes a SCR that has:
- a speed limit of 100km/h or more
- there is less than 30 metres from the road's centre line to the road corridor boundary
- other safety or operational restrictions.
Type of stock activity: Whenever a person is droving stock along a SCR, temporary warning signs must be displayed.
Sign types and display times: Two signs are used to warn road users of stock droving.
- The temporary “DROVING Stock NEXT …km” sign (TC1292_1) shall be used to warn on-coming traffic of the hazard ahead.
- The temporary “END DROVING Stock” sign (TC1292_2) shall be displayed at the end of the stock movement to inform drivers they have exited the section of road where droving activity was occurring.
TC1292_2 · TC1292_1
Sign placement: The person responsible for supervising the movement of the stock is responsible for placing and removing the signs. The sign placement requirements are as follows.
- For stock travelling up to 5 km a day, the “DROVING Stock NEXT …km” (TC1292_1) sign shall be placed at a distance (in metres) twice the speed limit from the starting point of the droving activity for the day. This is required for approaching traffic in both directions.
- The “END DROVING Stock” sign (TC1292_2) shall be displayed at the end of the planned travel distance for the day in each direction of travel (see Figure 4A page 15).
- Figure 4A shows the sign location requirements when stock is travelled up to 5 km. This would allow the signs to be put out at the start of the day and collected at the end of the day – allowing staff to supervise the stock during the day.
For stock travelling up to 10 km a day (please note, the daily maximum travel distance is 10 km), two TC1292_1 "DROVING" signs are to be used. The first sign is to be placed at a distance (in metres) twice the speed limit from the starting point of the droving and advise the total day's travel distance. The second sign will be placed at the mid-point of the travel distance and advise the remaining length of the day's travel.
The TC1292_2 "END DROVING" sign is to be used at the end of the day's planned travel distance (see Figure 4B page 15).
Figure 4B shows the sign location requirements when stock is travelling up to 10 km.
On very low traffic volume roads (less than 400 vehicles per day) where stock is travelling up to 10 km, one TC1292_1 "DROVING" and one TC1292_2 "END DROVING" sign may be used if the sight distance between the stock and on-coming traffic is always greater than 250 m in both directions.
Where side roads intersect the droving route and where sight distance to the stock is less than 250 m, the provision of additional warning signs in clear view of the entering traffic must be installed.
The use of star pickets to support stock signs is prohibited. TMR recommends the use of either a timber stake or frame with a cross section no greater the 55mm x 25mm that can be easily broken on impact or a swing stand sign support as shown below:
Additional requirements:#
- Stock must be supervised at all times.
- Stock will only be allowed to be travelled/moved in clear daylight hours. Night-time droving is not permitted.
- Where light conditions during the day are poor (for example, fog, mist or rain) the use of battery powered flashing lights attached to signs or on support vehicles should be considered.
- Stock must be kept off and away from the constructed road surface.
- Stock is to be contained by an approved temporary electric fence at night (refer to section 6).
- Stock must not be travelled in a built-up area unless the permit or approval specifies the built-up area.
Costs: The stock owner bears all costs of traffic management and signage when droving stock on a SCR.
