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Fencing focus

V/Line is urging East Gippsland farmers and landowners to remain vigilant regarding the risks of stray livestock near railway reserves and tracks as warmer weather approaches. With the Gippsland line running regular passenger and freight services through key agricultural areas between Sale, Stratford and Bairnsdale, stock wandering onto rail corridors poses a constant threat to animal welfare and train operations.V/Line chief executive officer Will Tieppo encouraged local primary producers to regularly inspect boundary fencing, monitor stock movements closely, and remain mindful of train timetables operating across the regional network."Animal strikes are a concern across the V/Line network, with cattle, sheep, horses, and other livestock in danger of being hit by a train when they wander away from properties looking for food," Mr Tieppo said."Not only are these incidents a significant loss to owners, they can also cause damage to trains and disruptions to passengers' journeys."Mr Tieppo noted that removing damaged or impacted trains from service for repairs creates substantial costs for taxpayers and often forces V/Line to order replacement coaches for regional passengers traveling along lines such as the Gippsland corridor. Data reveals that 14 livestock strikes occurred across the state network in the first six months of 2026, following 61 reported incidents in 2025 that involved 53 sheep, two cattle, five pigs and one goat. Broader collision figures show that since January 2023, there have been 4921 total strikes across the network involving both stock and native wildlife. Animals wandering onto tracks account for approximately 25 per cent of all trains requiring specialist cleaning at maintenance depots, with native wildlife such as kangaroos making up the remainder. Mr Tieppo added that livestock collisions result in roughly one train being withdrawn daily for washing and inspection at maintenance facilities, temporarily removing around 440 passenger seats from service.V/Line maintains more than 3500 kilometres of rail infrastructure across Victoria and continues to urge regional property owners along line corridors to maintain secure fencing to ensure safe, reliable journeys for local commuters. The post Fencing focus first appeared on Snowy River Mail.