Wild dog fence repair ahead of schedule

Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin congratulated Roma Biosecurity officers on their progress in repairing the wild dog barrier fence, while at Community Cabinet in Roma.

Mr Mulherin said repairs to Queensland’s iconic wild dog barrier fence after flooding earlier in the year will be completed sooner than expected.

“Thanks to their dedication and long hours, Biosecurity Queensland staff are due to finish repairs to the wild dog barrier fence ahead of schedule and under budget,” Mr Mulherin said.

“This is a great example of teamwork involving the State Government, local councils and landholders in strengthening the battle against wild dogs in southern Queensland.

“Initially the major restoration works were due to finish in November this year and cost approximately $1.3 million.

“We now expect to be in a position to resume normal patrols across the entire wild dog barrier fence by the end of the month.

“It is now estimated the cost will be $300,000 less than what we originally expected.

“This is a great effort by staff who have worked through difficult conditions.”

Mr Mulherin said the Maranoa Regional Council’s recently formed wild dog advisory committee will be a further defence against the pest in southern Queensland.

“The Maranoa wild dog advisory group is the first for the region and we expect to see the same exceptional results that we have from similar groups in the surrounding regions,” he said.

“Successful wild dog management relies on landholders coordinating their control efforts–locally formed wild dog advisory groups are the best way to ensure this happens.

“This is just one of the ways the Queensland Government, local governments and landowners are working together to ensure Queensland’s southern grazing regions are protected from the threat of wild dogs.”

Maranoa Regional Council Manager Environmental Services Kay Crosby said the new group will bring together the ‘ground truth’ experiences of local livestock producers.

“Wild dogs cost our community alone hundreds of thousands of dollars each year in stock losses and meat damage,” Ms Crosby said.

“This group will bring together local knowledge and government expertise to develop and guide regionally-relevant control programs to reduce the impact of wild dogs.

“We’ve seen the fantastic results the wild dog advisory groups in the Paroo and Murweh shires have had and we are hoping to mimic those same outcomes.

“The recent trapping program run by the Murweh Wild Dog Advisory Group trapped over 300 wild dogs in six months.

“A similar result would be a fantastic outcome for our region”

Mr Mulherin also congratulated Biosecurity Queensland’s National Wild Dog Coordinator, Greg Mifsud, who was recently recognised for his outstanding contribution to wild dog issues.

“The Invasive animal CRC Participant’s Prize for Invasive Animal Management is a prestigious award and I personally congratulate Greg on his work.

“Greg’s award again shows the commitment staff have for raising the profile of wild dog issues and management options.”

The Queensland Government has declared wild dogs as a Class 2 pest under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2009.

In addition, QDOG has been formed to provide strategic co-ordination and advice relating to wild dog movement across the state.