SoM Keeping of Stock Brochure Final - Shire of Mundaring

The Approval Process
When lodging your planning application, ensure you
have completed the following tasks:
• Complete Form 1 Application for Planning
Approval
•
Identify any environmental features that need to
be protected from stock and explain how they will
be protected
• Complete the Management Plan Proforma
• Prepare a scale site plan of the property to
accompany the Management Plan
• Pay the relevant Planning Application Fee
Once your application has been lodged it will be
assigned to a Planning Officer and you will be
notified of the decision.
Compliance with your
management plan
The Shire’s Town Planning Scheme is a statutory
document; therefore any activity outside your
planning approval would be considered an offence.
Shire staff may conduct follow-up inspections
of your property to ensure your approved
management plan is being followed.
Environmental Problems
Caused by Stock
If livestock is kept in an unsustainable manner, the
following environmental problems can occur:
• Grazing and trampling can loosen soil causing
wind and water erosion
•
Creeks or wetlands that are not fenced give
livestock uncontrolled access leading to bank
erosion and a decrease in water quality,
vegetation and habitat
• Nutrient runoff from fertilizers and manure into
adjacent watercourses can cause algal blooms
downstream
• Eroded soils can generate dust, reducing air quality
• Native vegetation can be damaged or lost leading
to increased erosion
• Manure that is not properly contained can cause
odour and attract flies
Keeping of Stock
Shire of Mundaring
The Keeping of Stock Guidelines
All this information and more is contained within
Shire of Mundaring’s Guidelines for Keeping Stock,
available from the Shire’s Administration Building
or online at www.mundaring.wa.gov.au under the
Planning Information section.
This information is available in different
formats upon request. Please contact the
Shire on 9290 6666.

Keeping of Stock
Keeping livestock can be a fun and rewarding
occupation or past time, but it has the potential to
cause environmental degradation if not carefully
managed. The Shire of Mundaring encourages the
sustainable keeping of livestock in a manner that
preserves the rural lifestyle of the area.
What is considered livestock?
Under Shire of Mundaring’s Guidelines for Keeping
Stock, livestock includes but is not limited to a horse,
cow, sheep, goat, deer, mule, alpaca, camel, donkey
and any other member of such animal families.
Where can stock be kept?
There are a number of factors that determine if a
property can suitably keep livestock. These include:
• the zoning of the property
• its size
• the soil type present
•
proximity to any watercourses and native
vegetation
How much stock can I keep?
The number of stock you can keep on your property,
or Stocking Rate, varies depending on whether you
irrigate or not, the type of stock you intend to keep
and the type of soil present on your property. The
Stocking Rate is calculated using a formula, which is
available in the Keeping of Stock Guidelines.
Why is my soil type important?
Different properties in the Shire display different soil
types. Some soil types are better suited than others
for keeping livestock depending on characteristics
such as drainage and susceptibility to erosion.
Shire staff can assist you to identify the soil type
present on your property.
Can I clear native vegetation
to keep livestock?
No. The keeping of livestock is not a valid reason for
clearing vegetation. Keeping livestock should not be
done on blocks with significant vegetation.
Do I need planning approval to
keep livestock?
Under the Shire’s Town Planning Scheme, planning
approval is required to keep livestock in the Shire.
This may be obtained by submitting a planning
application accompanied by a management plan.
Appendix 4 of the Shire’s Guidelines for Keeping
Stock contains an example framework that can assist
you in preparing your management plan.
Essential elements of a
Management Plan to be
included in your Application
• Scale site plan of property
• Statement of stock type and numbers
• Measures for fly and odour control
• Stabling practices
• Collection and/or disposal of manure
• Measures proposed for water management
• Erosion control
• Dust control
• Existing vegetation protection and retention
• Location of shelters/stables
• Weed control
• Type and condition of pasture
• Fertiliser application rates
•
Fencing, including existing and future yard areas
and environmentally sensitive areas (trees and
watercourses)
• Watercourses and areas prone to waterlogging
•
• Setbacks to neighbouring properties
Revegetation of environmentally sensitive areas