As the council’s cattle underpass policy was being reviewed, councillor Daniel Meade introduced an alternate motion allowing farmers to apply for up to $10,000 or 15 per cent of the cost of construction in funding from the shire even if they are successful in securing state government funding as well.

Farmers can apply to the Victorian Farmers Federation for Regional Development Victoria funding for a third of the cost of building a cattle underpass up to $50,000.

Cr Meade said it was crucial to support farmers seeing as “the shire rides on the cow’s back”.

He said supporting the construction of more underpasses would boost road safety and help farmers.

“Moyne understands the importance of our agriculture and livestock industries and we can show our support for our valued farmers as well as increasing safety for all road users,” Cr Meade said.

Cr Meade said constructing more underpasses across the shire would lead to more time in the paddock for cows.

Each year the shire will make a pool of $50,000 available for cattle underpasses.