Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, The Hon David Littleproud MP
South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, The Hon David Basham MP
The 115-kilometre second stage of the $25 million South Australian Dog Fence rebuild begins today with cutting-edge equipment brought in from interstate to help deliver the project.
South Australian based company Mount Charlotte Trust has been selected to undertake the stage two build with materials supplied by Senturion Steel Supplies and The Big Steel.
Equipment owned by Australian Wool Innovation Ltd and used to build wild dog exclusion fencing in central Queensland is also being made available for use by contractors working on the rebuild.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said the start of the rebuild of the second section was an important development in relation to this vital infrastructure project.
"The rebuild will reduce wild dog management costs for pastoralists by up to $97 million and is estimated to increase income from sheep sales by up to $69.7 million over a 20-year period," Minister Littleproud said.
"This project continues to show innovation and resilience at a time where agriculture remains central to the national economy.
"The rebuild of the Dog Fence is being jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government ($10 million), the State Government ($10 million) and the sheep industry ($5 million). It is another great example of what can be achieved when governments and industry work together."
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the next stage of the project will focus on 115 kilometres of fence from the corner of Curnamona Station and Billeroo West Station through to the New South Wales border.
"After completing 26 kilometres for the first stage of the Dog Fence rebuild, beginning the 115-kilometre second stage is an important project milestone," said Minister Basham.
"The $25 million South Australian Dog Fence rebuild is a once-in-generation project which will have lasting benefits in significantly reducing the pressure on our livestock sector from wild dogs.
"In the midst of a drought, the rebuild is raising the spirits of pastoralists whose sheep flocks have been severely impacted by the scourge of wild dogs.
"Having a loader, hydraulic post driver and Ezy-Wire® spinner loaned through Australian Wool Innovation until 2024 is an example of industry working together for the benefit of South Australian pastoralists."
The procurement process for materials for the third and fourth sections of the fence, which will see 200 kilometres of fence rebuilt to the north of Marree, is also underway.
The project will ultimately see 1,600 kilometres of fence upgraded to reduce the number of sheep being killed by wild dogs in the pastoral areas of South Australia and will have economic benefits of up to $113 million over 20 years.
Materials for the second section of the fence:
- 116 km of mesh
- 465 km plain wire
- 116 km of barbed wire
- 16,430 posts (combination of steel dropper and drill rod)
- 950,000 c-clips
