The State Government has committed a further $5million to help regional communities combat wild dogs.

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said Royalties for Regions funding would go towards significant upgrades and extensions to the State Barrier Fence.

“This Government has been working closely with industry and regional communities to control wild dogs, which can impact substantially on livestock production and businesses,” Mr Redman said.

“The State Barrier Fence is part of a broader strategic approach to protecting rural communities from pests such as wild dogs.”

The funding would include construction of 180km of new fencing in the eastern Wheatbelt region, known as the ‘Yilgarn Gap’, with the shires of Westonia and Yilgarn working closely with the Department of Agriculture and Food to build the new fence.

Funding will also go towards the proposed ‘Esperance extension’ to the fence. This will include a pilot construction project in one section of the estimated 500km extension. 

“The pilot construction project will follow a scoping study to determine the best route for the fence, and the approvals processes. These are overseen by an already established local reference group, which includes the shires of Esperance and Norseman and South Coast Regional NRM,” the Minister said.

“Last year, $8.82million of Royalties for Regions funding was allocated towards purchasing the materials required for construction of fence extensions and the appointment of eight additional doggers, now operating across the agricultural and pastoral region.”