Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Dave Grills MLC has welcomed a significant Royalties for Regions investment aimed at revitalising Western Australia’s livestock industries.
The Liberal National Government has announced a $19.94 million investment to support the sector and help landowners control predatory wild dogs and other agricultural pests in regional areas.
The funding will support key recommendations of the Western Australian Wild Dog Action Plan 2016-2021, developed by industry, government and the community to coordinate and prioritise efforts to reduce the devastating impact of wild dogs.
Mr Grills said the industry-led plan was an important step towards reviving the pastoral industry in the Goldfields and Mid-West.
“The southern rangelands pastoral industry has been severely affected by wild dog predation, particularly over the last several decades, to the point where small stock have been reduced to insignificant numbers in all but the southern Murchison and west Gascoyne,” Mr Grills said.
“This Royalties for Regions investment will assist small stock pastoral operations through support for existing biosecurity groups, funding for professional doggers, and competitive grants for cell or cluster fencing.”
Mr Grills said stock losses from wild dogs in Western Australia were estimated to be up to $25 million a year.
Nationals WA Candidate for Kalgoorlie Tony Crook said he was pleased to see government and industry work together to restore the viability of small stock pastoralism in the southern rangelands.
“As a former pastoralist, I have seen first-hand the destructive and heartbreaking economic, social and environment impact of wild dogs in places like the Goldfields,” Mr Crook said.
“Thanks to Royalties for Regions, we now have a plan that will result in real action on the ground and address what has been a long-running problem for the pastoral industry.
“Reviving the southern rangelands pastoral industry will provide significant economic and social benefits for communities in the region.”
The WA Wild Dog Action Plan 2016-2021 was developed by the Wild Dog Action Group, chaired by pastoralist Justin Steadman. The plan was funded through the Department of Agriculture and Food WA’s Boosting Biosecurity Defences project, with Royalties for Regions investment.
For media enquiries contact Dave Grills MLC on (08) 9071 500 or email dave.grills@mp.wa.gov.au
