Easter travelers urged to be aware of cattle on roads

It comes as the number of cattle using stock routes skyrockets due to the prolonged dry conditions.

Five bigger mobs will be travelling along stock routes and local roads over Easter with one around Tara, one around the Condamine and Miles area, one east of Chinchilla and two in the Wambo area.

The biggest of the mobs will include about 1250 cattle.

Western Downs councillor Andrew Smith said the extended dry period has seen more cattle using stock routes.

"It looks set to be another tough year ahead, until we get widespread rain over the whole area the stock routes will continue to be used," he said.

"An issue with the stock routes is that some of the facilities are a bit short of water at the present time.

"While some rejuvenation of pasture has occurred, we still need some more rain, especially coming into our winter months.

"In the last 12 months there has been a large increase, prior to this we would have seen around 1500 - 1700 stock using the routes over the year.

"At one stage this year, we had 17,000 cattle along the stock route at one time."

Cr Smith said in addition to the large mobs, there will also be other, smaller mobs grazing along roadsides, based on agistment permits.

"The drovers are very experienced and have been moving livestock around for many years between their place of origin, grazing areas and saleyards utilising the stock route network," he said.

"There are designated main stock routes on our network that have facilities such as water, but every road that can travel stock can potentially be used."

While drovers are planning to avoid main roads and highways as much as possible over Easter, drivers are still urged to keep an eye out for cattle and working dogs that may be on the roads.