Publication Date
1-2024
Publisher
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia
City
Perth
Abstract
Western Australia’s State Barrier Fence plays an important role in protecting landholders inside the fence by preventing the movement of animal pests, including wild dogs and emus, from pastoral areas into the agricultural regions. It is a state asset which is managed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The original fences (numbers 1, 2 and 3) were constructed between 1902 and 1907. Originally known as the Rabbit Proof Fences, it has also been known as the State Vermin Fence, the Emu Fence and now the State Barrier Fence. Since 2010, the fence has been upgraded to wild dog standard.
The current fence is approximately 1209 km long, extending from the Zuytdorp cliffs north of Kalbarri (in the State’s north) through to Jerdacuttup east of Ravensthorpe (in the State’s south). A significant gap in the State Barrier Fence remains to be constructed near Esperance.
The 660 km extension to the State Barrier Fence will protect south-eastern agricultural enterprises from the impact of emus, wild dogs and kangaroos coming from the rangelands and adjacent woodlands. Once completed, the Esperance Extension will provide confidence to livestock industries for new investment and increased production in the region.
The proposed Esperance extension will provide significant benefits to agriculture and have other associated positive impacts for the region. These benefits were endorsed by the agricultural industry in the Esperance community. The Esperance Extension has been supported by successive State governments, with initial scoping for the project undertaken as far back as 2011.
Number of Pages
6
Keywords
state barrier fence, wild dogs, biosecurity, Esperance, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia
Disciplines
Biosecurity | Other Animal Sciences
Recommended Citation
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.
(2024), State Barrier Fence - Esperance extension project overview 2024. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia, Perth. Report.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bs_publishedrpts/52
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