Agriculture Minister on cluster fencing tour

Published Wednesday, 24 August, 2016 at 02:00 PM

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries
The Honourable Leanne Donaldson

Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson has repeated her conviction that the Palaszczuk Government’s wild dog cluster fencing strategy will help to revive the sheep industry in the central west of the State.

 Speaking in Longreach, where she has been inspecting cluster fences with Wild Dog Fencing Commissioner Vaughan Johnson, the Minister said she was focussed on how to maximise the benefits of the latest $5 million allocated by the Premier to wild dog eradication.

 “I don’t think there is now any doubt in this part of Queensland that cluster fencing is the best way to protect livestock from feral pests,” the Minister said.

 “Today I have been speaking with property owners who have installed cluster fencing.

 “They made it very clear that landholders are now convinced that the strategy will quickly bring positive gains for the sheep industry.

 “I’ve been told that where fences have been constructed, lambing rates increased by 70% almost immediately. 

“It has been enlightening travelling with Vaughan Johnson and hearing his thoughts about the best types of fence to ensure wild dogs can be kept out.

“Vaughan, his fellow Wild Dog Fencing Commissioner Mark O’Brien, and I are very clearly focussed on ensuring that the $5 million allocation is spent wisely, to ensure the biggest bang for the buck.

 “While I have been in Longreach I have also met with mayors and chief executive officers representing the Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning Board councils (RAPAD).

 “We talked about the part councils can play in building partnerships to maximise the effectiveness of the strategy.

 “It is very encouraging that so many individuals and organisations are now working together with a common aim.

 “QDOG, the Queensland Dog Offensive Group, is meeting in Charleville on Thursday.

 “It is another important player in this initiative and I will be joining the meeting by teleconference. Discussions will include the roll out of the program.

 “While I want to see the funding allocated and more cluster fences under construction as quickly as possible it is very important that the right decisions are made to benefit the industry.”

 

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