Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Primary Industries

Disposal Of Dead Stock

This service benefits the entire community and should be utilised by stock owners if at all possible.

By Department of Primary Industries - 18th June 2003 - Back to News

A knackery service that offers prompt and cost effective or free removal of dead and suffering stock provides a district with an invaluable service. This service benefits the entire community and should be utilised by stock owners if at all possible. The service reduces animal welfare issues by providing farmers with a prompt and humane method of destruction for suffering stock. The service also aids the environment by eliminating the need to bury or burn carcasses on property.

Even with such a service, issues do arise about the continuing incorrect disposal of dead stock that find their way into watercourses or cause problems with off-site odour. These are issues that the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) investigates.

Carcasses that are decomposing or that have been euthanased with an overdose of anaesthetic are not suitable for the pet food industry. In such circumstances or in areas where a knackery service does not operate, farmers will need to dispose of carcasses on their own property. The EPA issues guidelines for how this disposal should be achieved to minimise environmental impact. The guidelines are contained in EPA Publication 660 – "What solid wastes can I dispose of on my farm?"

The site selected to bury carcasses should:

• be on elevated land but with a slope of less than 5 %
• not have the highest watertable within two metres of the base of the hole
• be at least 100 metres from any surface waters
• be at least 300 metres from neighbouring houses
• avoid highly permeable soils.

You should also:

• cover the carcasses with at least 1 metre of earth
• where necessary, excavate cut-off drains up-slope of the burial site to direct surface run-off away from the site
• slightly mound the site after backfilling.

Burning of dead stock is only permitted in situations where it is impractical to bury the carcass or where burning is mandatory where certain exotic diseases are present.

Further information is available from the EPA Regional office in Traralgon.

AGRICULTURAL AIRCRAFT COMPANY FINED

A Gippsland based aerial agricultural spraying company pleaded guilty to spray drift charges and deficiencies relating to incomplete records of spraying, in the Korumburra Magistrates Court recently.

The aircraft operator was spraying weeds on a farm under light and variable wind conditions and caused the chemical to drift onto the garden of a neighbouring farmhouse resulting in damage to garden plants.

Charges against the company and the pilot were brought by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and resulted in the company being fined $3500 plus half of the court costs and the pilot being placed on a good behaviour bond for 12 months and ordered to pay half court costs. The Magistrate indicated that he had taken the relatively small monetary value of the damage caused into consideration, prior to passing sentence.

This case clearly demonstrates that persons in the business of applying agricultural chemicals, whether by air or ground based equipment, must take all reasonable precautions to ensure that chemicals remain on the target and do not drift onto non target areas. Undertaking any agricultural spraying near sensitive areas under variable wind conditions is not acceptable practice and is contrary to the aerial spraying industry’s own manual for aerial operators.

Commercial chemical applicators are also reminded that they must make and keep for a period of two years, complete and accurate records of all chemical spraying operations they undertake.

Authorised officers within the Department investigate all alleged spray drift incidents, under the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act and its Regulations and where it can be proved that the spray drift has caused off-target damage or contamination to plants, livestock or agricultural land, prosecution may be instigated.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

• Melina Bath honours Colin "Stocky" Stockdale for 63 years of outstanding CFA service to South Gippsland community
  Melina Bath congratulated Colin "Stocky" Stockdale on receiving the CFA's highest honour, recognising his 63 years of leadership, mentorship and dedicated service protecting South Gippsland communities.
• Mobile Service Centres bringing government support across South Gippsland communities an August and September
  Australian government Mobile Service Centres will visit 12 South Gippsland communities, offering Medicare, Centrelink, myGov and Veterans’ Affairs assistance, with accessible facilities and Wi-Fi.
• Baw Baw Employment Expo returns this September to connect job seekers with local employers and training providers
  Baw Baw Employment Expo returns September 30, connecting job seekers with local employers, vacancies and training providers. The free event also offers resume support, networking opportunities, industry insights, coffee vouchers and lunch.
• East Gippsland Seniors Festival returns this October, inviting community events across the shire
  East Gippsland’s Seniors Festival returns in October, inviting community groups to submit events celebrating older residents under this year’s ‘Connect, Create and Celebrate’ theme.
• Latrobe City pushes for fair community benefits, transparent water pricing and long-term investment as Yallourn Mine rehabilitation progresses
  Latrobe City Council has urged fair community reinvestment, transparent water pricing and long-term funding certainty as EnergyAustralia seeks water entitlement for Yallourn Mine rehabilitation.
• Wellington Shire Council 2026 hard waste collection returns this spring for convenient household clean-up and recycling
  Wellington Shire Council’s annual hard waste collection returns from September 28 to October 30, offering residents convenient disposal of unwanted household items, including e-waste, while supporting recycling and reducing illegal dumping.
• Gippsland commuters stranded after V/Line services end early, prompting calls for reliable regional rail services
  Melina Bath criticised Gippsland rail disruptions after AFL fans were stranded following an early service cutoff, calling for reliable regional transport and promising 1,110 additional seats on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services.
• Wellington Shire Council retains in-house library service following review confirming best value for community needs
  Wellington Shire Council has endorsed the outcome of its Wellington Libraries Service Review, confirming library services will continue to be delivered as is.
• Community groups encouraged to apply for East Gippsland’s 2026-27 grants program before 14 September 20260 deadline
  East Gippsland community groups can apply for 2026–27 grants supporting community, environmental, social and wellbeing projects, with funding from $3,000 to $20,000 available until September 14, 2026.
• Melina Bath seeks Labor explanation on Gippsland children face specialist dental service cuts, longer waits and costly travel for treatment
  Melina Bath says Gippsland children face longer waits after regional pediatric dental services were cut, forcing families to travel to Melbourne for specialist treatment.
• East Gippsland launches disability network to strengthen community input on council projects, services and decisions
  East Gippsland Shire Council has launched the Disability Network, inviting people with disability, carers and organisations to help shape council decisions through accessible online and in-person community engagement.