Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said it was good news for all South Australian sheep producers that the first section of the rebuilding of the State’s Dog Fence is has been completed.
Mr Ramsey inspected the completed section of fence on Tuesday with a group of pastoralists.
“I am really excited to see this project rolling out and made possible by joint funding of $10m from the Commonwealth, a matching contribution from the Marshall Liberal Government and $5m from industry,” he said.
“The joint investment is a tangible demonstration level of co-operation between the politically aligned Federal and State governments.
“Gone is the automatic position of ‘blame the Feds for everything’ and the spirit of common interest is producing an unprecedented level of co-investment in SA and I am very proud to be part of that.
“South Australia’s Dog Fence is 100 years old and the Government’s commitment to replace 1,600 kilometres of the ageing fence will be a game-changer for the state’s livestock industries. It is a multi-generational investment in our livestock industry.
“It’s a very high quality fence, 1.5 metres high, aprons, barbs and steel posts supplied by Waratah using Australian steel.
“Many sections have been degraded over the years by kangaroos, emus, feral camels, wild dogs, weather events, sand erosion, rust and corrosion.
“Wild dogs have killed thousands of sheep and increasingly they are finding their way further and further south and whether producers in the south of the state realise it or not, without a good fence eventually all of the sheep in SA are under threat, not just those in the north.”
Mr Ramsey thanked Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud for his strong support at Federal level.
“I invited the Minister to a meeting in Jamestown in 2018 with a group of affected SA producers. He immediately grasped the enormity of the problem and was instrumental in helping win Federal support,” he said.
“Premier Steven Marshall, Minister Tim Whetstone and local member Dan van Holst Pellekaan have turned the hard yards at the State end and today we see the value of the combined effort.
“The Dog Fence is the longest continuous fence in the world and a crucial part of supporting and protecting the South Australian sheep industry.”
South Australia’s component of the 5,400 kilometre Dog Fence is approximately 2,150 kilometres, with approximately 1,600km being more than 100 years of age.
The $25 million commitment will replace 1,600 kilometres of ageing fencing, ensure its continued effectiveness and support pastoralists from the ongoing threat of wild dogs.
The first section of the project was completed on Curnamona Station, about 370km north-northeast of Adelaide.
Arrangements for the second stage of the rebuild, including contractors and material supply approvals are currently being finalised and are due to commence next month (August).
This second area of work will focus on 115 km of fence from Curnamona/Billeroo West corner through to the NSW border.
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 86331744 July 14, 2020