Queensland Feral Pest Initiative – Cluster Fencing

Between 2011 and 2015, during widespread drought, the number of people living in the region aged 54 or younger declined by 12.5%. RAPAD and other concerned members of the community held meetings searching for a solution.

It was identified the importance of the sheep and wool industry for creating employment was key and the impact on the industry by wild dogs was as if not more crippling than the drought.

RAPAD took the lead delivering that message to the state government and the end result was the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative (QFPI).

In 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 RAPAD councils operating through the QFPI, was successful in their bid to deliver projects under the Australian Government Pest Animals and Weeds (AGPAW) program for cluster fencing arrangements in areas with high wild dog density.

With the support of RAPAD and QFPI, neighbours agreed to work together to build 1.5-metre-high fences around groups of properties. These fenced clusters of land now had a physical barrier to stop wild dogs from entering their properties and attacking sheep.

Project’s value to CWQ

For the RAPAD region, this funding is about more than just funding the building of fences, it is about:

· empowering people and giving them back control of their time, finances and wellbeing;

· delivering regional prosperity through reduced credit problems;

· growing employment opportunities and full sporting teams; and

· enabling people to become better equipped to manage total grazing pressure and withstand future drought events.

rapad@rapad.com.au

Phone

(07) 4652 5660

Website

Visit notjustafence.org

How we help

RAPAD has delivered the program by undertaking the application and assessment process as well as the reporting and management. To date the entire funding initiative has delivered:

$12.3 million in Government funding;
$29.7 million committed by landholders;
$42 million total project;
Producers spending 71% on average of the total cost of the fence;
40 clusters
165 landholders involved
4017 km of fencing
Protecting 2,246,773 ha from wild dogs
139 new jobs in agriculture in the region
$56.3 million in annual regional economic benefit
$21.2 million increase in regional gross margins
$4.57 per year every year from $1 Government spending;

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