The "useful life" of an asset refers to the period during which the asset is expected to be operational and capable of performing its intended function effectively. This can be influenced by material of construction, maintenance, usage and loading and environmental conditions. A cattle grid, designed and installed to Australian Standards will have a useful life of anywhere from 20 to 40 years. 

• An asset is considered to be at the end of its useful life when it no longer provides sufficient value or functionality relative to its cost and maintenance. Some common indicators include: 
  • The asset is no longer performing its intended function i.e. Not keeping cattle from crossing 
  • The asset poses safety risks and is deemed unsuitable for use i.e. loose bearers or crumbling abutments 
• Changes in regulations or standards that render an asset non-compliant may also result in the grid being considered at the end of its useful life i.e. If updating the asset to meet new standards is not feasible, it may be at the end of its useful life i.e. welding standards that need to be met 
• Significant deterioration, damage, or wear where the cost to conduct the repairs is more than half the cost to replace the grid excluding installation costs 
• The gate or grid has structural damage that cannot be repaired to any standards. 

Structural components: Grid repairs can be conducted to structural components where the grid was installed in accordance with a Registered Profession Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) certification and components can be repaired in such a way to restore the grid to the standard drawings. Where there is no RPEQ certification or standard drawing the grid will be required to be removed or replaced see When will a grid require Removal or Replacement? for more information 

Non-structural components: Grid repairs can be conducted to any non-structural components. 

• Crossbars or rails: Horizontal bar or rails that run across the grid. Typically made of steel. Spacing between the bars is crucial to ensure they are effective at keeping out stock while being safe for vehicle tyres.
• Supporting framework: 
  • Bearers – Longitudinal supports that run parallel to the direction of travel and support the crossbars 
  • End beams – Horizontal supports at each end of the grid that connect to the crossbars and provide additional stability 
• Footings: Concrete placed under the end supports to spread the load and provide a stable foundation.

• Drainage systems: Designed to prevent water from pooling around the grid to prevent erosion 
• Guard rails / fencing: Prevent animals from trying to cross at points where they might avoid the grid or guide them to the grid 
• Marker posts or signs: Used to indicate the presence of a cattle grid and provide safety warnings to drivers. 
• Gravel or ground surface material: Material placed around a grid to aid in drainage and provide a stable surface for vehicles or animals approaching the grid. 

RPEQ Certified Grid: If the costs to repair a grid in accordance with RPEQ certification or standard drawings exceeds half of the cost to replace a grid (excluding installation costs) it will require replacement or removal. 

No RPEQ certification or standard: Where a grid was not originally installed in accordance with RPEQ Certification or standard drawings and is identified to be damaged, compromised, failing or there is failure to structural components it will require replacement or removal. 

• Once a structural component has been identified as failed or failing, and the grid has not been built or installed to an Engineering approved standard (RPEQ Certified) then the grid is deemed to be not repairable and will trigger the grid to be replaced.   
• A grid is triggered for removal/replacement when cost to repair the grid exceeds half the cost to purchase a replacement grid and abutments (excluding installation costs).

Council will assume ownership of all gates and grids where no management option form has been returned by 31 December 2024 and will commence removing structures in 2025 if no responsible party can be identified.  

No, landholders can elect different options for each asset to allow the best management option to suit pending the circumstances.  

No, Council will be taking a practical approach to this condition. Many Registered Professional Engineers have advised that they generally will not provide a professional assessment of pre-existing grid structures for a number of reasons. 

Transfer of Responsibility for Gate or Grid to Council (Council Management) 

This option is where the landholder is requesting Gladstone Regional Council to assume responsibility for the grid in relation to insurance, inspection, maintenance and repairs to the gate or grid at no cost to the landholder.  

Landholders will be contacted at such a time that the gate or grid has met the end of useful life and requires a decision from the landholder whether they would like the grid removed or replaced. Requests to replace the grid will be at the cost of the landholder and will require an application to be submitted whereas removal requests will be done at Councils expense. 

Things to Consider: 

• No cost to the Landholder other than the replacement of the grid inclusive of installation costs 
• No requirement for the landholder to insure the gate or grid 
• Landholders are not permitted to undertake any maintenance activities on the gate or grid. 
• Any maintenance requests for the gate or grid will need to be reported to Council. An inspection will be conducted to determine if the gate or grids meets Council’s invention levels at which point, they will be scheduled accordingly. 
• Council will contact the Landholder when the grid has been identified as meeting its end of useful life, at which point the Landholder will need to decide if the grid is still required and apply for it to be replaced or removed. 
• Replacement of a grid will come at the cost of the landholder and Council will undertake the RPEQ certification and installation. 
• Once a Landholder has elected for Council to maintain responsibility for a gate or grid there are no opportunities to revert to the Landholder Management option. 

Application for Existing Gate or Grid on a Formed Maintained Road to Receive an Approval under Transitionary Provisions of Subordinate Local Law No 1.16 (Gates and Grids) 2023 (Landholder Management) 

This option is available for existing gates or grids located on formed maintained roads and only up until 31 December 2024.  

Where this option is applied, the Landholder is responsible for insuring, inspecting, maintaining, and repairing the gate or grid to Council Standards. Council will continue to inspect the grid to ensure it still meets Councils standards and will contact the Landholder when it is determined that the gate or grid has met the end of useful life where the Landholder will need to decide if the gate or grid is still required and needs replacement or if it can be removed.  

Things to consider: 

• Landholders will be required to insure the gate or grid and will be responsible for any third party claims that may arise where the gate or grid is involved in an incident. A copy is not required to be provided to Council unless the Council specifically requests it. 
• The Landholder will be responsible for conducting any maintenance or repairs to the gate or grid – for more information of what can be repaired refer to When can repairs be undertaken in relation to a grid? And Am I allowed to work on Council Maintained Roads, particularly if I haven’t done any working in roads training? 
• Council will continue to conduct regular inspections on the gate or grid and contact the Landholder should any issues arise. Council will require the landholder to undertake the necessary repairs within a specified timeframe or where the gate or grid is identified as meeting the end of useful life, the Landholder will be required to elect to have the structure removed or replaced (an application/approval process applies for all replacements). 
• Council will take responsibility for advanced warning signage and will seek reimbursement for costs of such signage in the event it requires replacement. 
• The Landholder is responsible for any hazard signs attached to the gate or grid. 
• Where a Landholder applies for a grid to be replaced, they have the option to conduct the works themselves with an RPEQ certified structure or alternatively, they may request Council to conduct the works at the Landholder's expense. 
• Once a gate or grid is replaced it will automatically transfer responsibility to Council as per Council Management Option.

Request for Council to Remove Gate or Grid from Formed Maintained Road 

Where landholders have determined that the gate or grid is no longer required, they can elect to have the structure removed. Council will undertake the removal of the structure and any associated signage at no cost to the Landholder. The process for Council to remove a structure includes a public notification period whereby signage will be installed at each approach to the structure advising that it is proposed to be removed. Any interested landholder will have the ability to submit to Council any reasons why they believe it shouldn’t be removed within 28 days. Any submissions will be considered by Council prior to the removal. 

Things to consider: 

• Removal of a gate or grid bears no cost to the Landholder 
• Landholders may elect to salvage materials from the structure once it is removed. Where this is requested, Council will leave the materials in a safe location within the road reserve for collection. There are no guarantees to the condition of the materials once removed as components can come apart during the removal process. Landholders are responsible for the prompt collection of the material from the road reserve. Where materials aren’t requested to be salvaged the Council will dispose of them. 
• Council will restore the road surface condition once the structure has been removed. 

Yes, we are asking all landholders with gates or grids in a maintained road to submit a form regardless of previous lodgement. As there are now more options available to landholders Council will not assume they would like to continue with the previous Council Management option. 

The transitionary approval issued for gates and grids under Subordinate Local Law No. 1.16 (Gates and Grids) 2023 authorises the approval holder to carry out the required maintenance and repair of gates or grids and surrounds in accordance with the approval conditions.  

• All workers under Queensland’s Work Health and Safety Act and Regulation have an obligation to risk assess work before commencing. Then implement any site-specific controls that may be required to minimise risk. This approach should be applied to work performed under the approval.  
• One of the conditions of an approval will include the placement of temporary warning signs in accordance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices which provides the necessary safety advice for road users.  
• Landholders that consider as part of their risk assessment/safety plan, that formal training should be undertaken before they perform work associated with a Gates and Grids approval can elect to do so and this may provide a level of assurance in the event of any potential incident investigation.  

No, there are no requirements to renew any approval and no cost associated with the submission of any management option. 

No, the responsibility for securing appropriate public liability insurance rests with the approval holder. Council does not require a copy of the public liability insurance policy unless Council specifically requests a copy.  

Yes, if there are multiple property owners who wish to share ownership of a gate or grid then all parties are required to complete the associated form, however, once the gate or grid reaches the end of useful life all owners will be required to agree on replacement or removal. Where replacement is requested, the costs associated must be paid to Council but will be up to the property owners how they choose to share this as separate invoices will not be issued and the grid will automatically become Council Managed. Where there are disputes relating to dual/multiple owners, responsibility will be transferred to Council where resolution cannot be achieved between the parties.