In the vast and rugged terrain of Australia's outback, neighbourly disputes can take on epic proportions, especially when they involve sprawling cattle stations and the delicate balance of environmental conservation.

The latest saga to capture the nation's attention is a bitter feud between a major cattle operation and the Queensland government.

A staggering $400,000 is at stake over a 28km stretch of fencing.


'We'll be using the national park for 50 per cent this year,' Paul Ryan said.

The situation escalated following the worst flooding event the station had seen since its purchase in 2005.

The Ryans' frustration is compounded by the Department of Environment (DESI), which manages the neighbouring parks, and their approach to handling wandering livestock.


Evan Ryan, a veteran of the industry with 50 years of experience, didn't mince words when describing DESI as 'absolute bastards,' criticising their threat to seize or shoot cattle that wander into national parks.

DESI's policy allows Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Land Trust rangers to muster unbranded livestock—those without a sign of ownership by a cattle station—and sell them commercially, with proceeds supporting national park management.

This policy is rooted in the significant environmental impact feral animals, including domestic cattle, have on native species habitats, endangered plants, and waterways.


The cost of feral animals to Australia is estimated at $25 billion a year.

DESI's primary objective, as stated in May, is to 'significantly reduce the numbers of cattle on protected area estate—and to prevent re-population from occurring.'

However, the Ryans view the government's seizure of unbranded cattle as theft, arguing that natural disasters like flooding can lead to their livestock inadvertently entering the park.

'We usually recover 500 head a year. But the government goes in there, despite having never bred cattle, never bought cattle, and not owning any cattle, and they sell them,' Evan Ryan expressed his frustration.

The Ryans' cattle operation, which includes over 20,000 head of cattle and properties valued at over $100 million, has reportedly lost around 4,000 cattle to national parks since 2019.


The financial implications are significant, with each head valued at approximately $800.

The dispute also highlights the challenges of mustering cattle from vast tracts of land within a limited timeframe.

Paul Ryan argues that a full-season permit would allow a more methodical and environmentally friendly approach to retrieving cattle instead of the current short-term permit system, necessitating aggressive and potentially unsafe mustering tactics.

The conflict has reached a point where communication has broken down, and DESI's attempts to contact the Ryans have been silent.

This issue isn't isolated to Ryan Global; other property owners have formed the Cape York Cattle Growers, a collective advocating against the short-term permit system.


As the Queensland state election looms, the cattlemen have found an ally in Katter's Australia Party, which recognises the impracticalities of the current mustering permit process and the need for a more efficient system.

The historical context of cattle in Cape York, once feral and now the progeny of domestic animals, adds complexity to the issue.

Some allege that station staff have intentionally allowed cattle to roam into national parks during challenging times for economic gain.

A former DESI employee suggests that a solution lies in fostering an excellent neighbourly spirit and establishing binding fencing agreements that satisfy both parties.

Additionally, technology, such as satellite tracking, could help cattlemen locate and manage their herds more effectively.
Have you experienced similar disputes? How do you think such conflicts should be resolved? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.