Machinery & Infrastructure
1 November, 2026
Farmers urged to check fences near rail lines
FARMERS with properties adjacent to the Warrnambool rail line, and freight rail lines, are being urged to check their fences to ensure livestock stay away from trains.
With warmer weather approaching, livestock become more active as they look for additional food as paddocks become drier.
V/Line chief executive officer Will Tieppo encouraged farmers and landowners to regularly check the condition of fences around their property and keep a close watch of their animals.
“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,” he said.
“Not only are these incidents a significant loss to owners, they can also cause damage to trains and disruptions to passengers’ journeys.
“Every train withdrawn from service for repairs presents a significant cost to the taxpayer and V/Line often has to call in replacement coaches to transport passengers.”
Data from V/Line showed there were 14 incidents where a train struck livestock, which can involve multiple sheep, cattle or goats, in the first six months of 2026.
In 2025, there were 61 livestock strike incidents on the V/Line network, involving 53 sheep, two cattle, five pigs and one goat.
Since January 2023, there have been 4921 reported strikes – including livestock – 1409 in 2023, 1881 in 2024, 1099 in 2025 and 532 between January and June this year.
Mr Tieppo said that when livestock are struck, roughly one train is taken off the network for washing at V/Line’s train maintenance facilities per day, resulting in a loss of around 440 seats for passengers.
“Approximately 25 per cent of trains that require washing after a strike are due to livestock, the remainder being kangaroos and other wildlife which also impact our trains,” he said.
“V/Line is responsible for the maintenance of more than 3500 kilometres of rail track across the state, used by passenger and freight trains.
“V/Line is running more services than ever before and continue to work hard to provide a safe and reliable network.”