Cell fencing funds to protect stock from wild dogs

• $4 million available for cell fencing to protect livestock from wild dog attacks
• Investment a part of the McGowan Government's commitment to action on wild dogs to grow the pastoral industry and create regional jobs 

Applications open tomorrow (September 29) for a new grant funding program which will support pastoral groups to build exclusion fencing to keep out wild dogs.

Pastoral groups will be able to apply for grants, up to $4 million in total, for the construction of wild dog exclusion cell fences around multiple pastoral leases in the rangelands to help protect sheep and goats.

The funds will be granted to up to three successful applicants and contribute up to 50 per cent towards the cost of fence construction. Successful applicants will commit to ongoing maintenance of the fence and wild dog management within the cell.

The Rangelands Cell Fencing Program is co-funded by the State Government through Royalties for Regions, and the Australian Government.

Further details of the two-year funding program will be available at http://www.agric.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:

"Wild dogs are estimated to cause losses of $25 million per year to rangelands sheep and goat production. Stock deaths and injuries can be traumatic for landholders and regional communities.

"Keeping wild dogs at bay with exclusion fencing will enable pastoralists to re-establish small stock such as sheep and goats on their pastoral stations, allowing struggling pastoralists in the southern rangelands to return to a more financially and ecologically sustainable position.

"It will also help to rebuild our dwindling sheep numbers and support local meat processors.

"This grant program will also help us determine whether cell fencing can protect and renew small livestock enterprises, and deliver a sustained benefit to industry and regional communities in Western Australia."

Minister's office - 6552 6200