Wild dog barrier fence
The wild dog barrier fence (previously called the dingo barrier fence) was first proposed in the late 1940s to protect sheep from wild dog attacks. However, erection was not completed until the late 1950s.
Originally the graziers were responsible for maintaining the fence, but with drought and changes in the wool market it didn't take long for the fence fell into disrepair.
In the early 1980s, the State Government rebuilt almost half of the original barrier fence (2500 km of the original 5600 km) and realigned a large section, creating the current wild dog barrier fence. In addition to the main barrier fence, a number of check fences were reconstructed and renewed in the southern Darling Downs area.
Today, the wild dog barrier fence is administered by Biosecurity Queensland. It is about 2500 km long and protects 26.5 million hectares of sheep and cattle grazing country.
Wild Dog Barrier Fence Panel
The Wild Dog Barrier Fence Panel (the Panel) assists the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries by overseeing management decisions relating to the Wild Dog Barrier Fence operations.
These operations include:
- the structure of Wild Dog Barrier Fence including investigating future management models
- staffing
- budget management
- resource allocation, including plant, materials and personnel
- budget forecasts and reporting.
Membership
The Panel consists of the following members:
- three from local government which contribute financially by way of annual payments to the operations of the Panel
- one from AgForce
- two from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.