Taking to the sky to tackle wild dogs

The Australian and Queensland Governments are providing Southern Downs Regional Council with $200,000 to manage wild dogs in the Southern Downs and Goondiwindi Regional Councils areas using aerial baiting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce and Queensland Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Leanne Donaldson today welcomed the start of the new project under the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative.

“Wild dogs are estimated to cost Australia’s agricultural sector as much as $66 million each year through livestock losses, disease transmission and control costs, not to mention the emotional toll,” Minister Joyce said.

“This project will include aerial baiting in Drumsleed, Pikedale, Dalveen and Inglewood to reach wild dogs in these previously inaccessible areas.

“It also includes improving a large section of the Stanthorpe Dingo Spur Fence, electrification of approximately two kilometres of fence in Pikedale and equipment to increase baiting efficiency and participation.

“This project is part of a $15 million joint investment to prevent pests in drought-affected areas of Queensland, with the Australian Government committing $10 million in 2015–16 through the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper.

“It’s all about helping landowners deal with the impact of pest animals and weeds at a time when their impacts on stock, pasture and groundcover are heightened.”

Minister Donaldson said the project was now underway, with grant agreements signed and funds out the door.

“This project is informed by local knowledge, using advice from the Southern Downs wild dog advisory committee and other stakeholders,” Minister Donaldson said.

“This funding will soon be delivering tangible benefits for drought-affected farmers on the ground in the Southern Downs and Goondiwindi Regional Councils areas.

“Wild dog impacts will be significantly reduced and it will help ensure the region is well-placed to maintain low level dog impacts into the future.

“This project plays a critical role in the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative to proactively support wild dog, feral cat and other weed and pest animal management projects in Queensland.

"The impacts of wild dogs are felt even more keenly during periods of drought, and this is a key project to help farmers protect their valuable stock at this critical time.”

For more information on the $4 billion Ag White Paper, or the $25.8 million four-year national programme to manage pest animals and weeds in drought-affected areas, please visit agwhitepaper.agriculture.gov.au.

To find out more about the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative, visit www.daf.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.

ENDS

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