An electrified wild dog exclusion fence.

QUEENSLAND’S recovering sheep industry has received a $5 million funding boost to continue cluster fencing developments.

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Economic Development, Bill Byrne said the additional $5 million was a great Christmas boost for the successful applicants.

“The successful applicants are the Remote Area Planning and Development (RAPAD) Board with $2 350 000, South West NRM $2 164 400 and $485 600 for Maranoa Regional Council.

“The $5 million doubles the Government’s investment in cluster fencing in Queensland and the outlay is already seeing positive signs with an increase in birthing rates already,” he said.

“Round 2 of the wild dog funding were based on the recommendations of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative Oversight Group after they received more than $21 million worth of submissions.”

Wild Dog Fencing Commissioners, Vaughan Johnson said $5 million funding boost is the best Christmas present the sheep and wool industry has had in 20 years, other than good rains.

“The proof is in the pudding with road trains of wool coming out of western and central Queensland,” he said.

Mr Johnson and fellow commissioner Mark O’Brien said the Palaszczuk Government’s ongoing support of the sheep and wool industries, through this funding, continues to give hope to the small towns of western Queensland.

“These are the towns that can thrive with vibrant and profitable primary producers. It’s such a morale lift for us in the bush.

“With these funds being targeted to sheep and wool producing areas with such strong economic multipliers the likely benefits are enormous,” Mr O’Brien said.

“These benefits will not only be economic but social as well.”

“Having set the scene for revitalizing the sheep and wool industries the Government has shown great flexibility by supporting the Longreach Council’s loan scheme as well as a contingent loan trial for other more marginal producers in the south west.”

“The Queensland Government should be congratulated for being so responsive to such diverse options and possibilities.

Minister Byrne added this announcement also comes on the back of $18 million Longreach Council’s innovative Wild Dog Exclusion Fencing Scheme.

“The scourge of wild dogs and the drought has had our State’s sheep and wool industry on its knees for too long,” Mr Byrne said.

“A robust and thriving sheep and wool industry will help revitalise some of our regional centres bringing more money into them as well as shearers and additional local economic activity.”

The Oversight Group comprises Wild Dog Fencing Commissioners Mark O’Brien and Vaughan Johnson and representatives from AgForce, the Local Government Association of Queensland, Queensland Conservation, the National Wild Dog Facilitator, a regional Pest Management Group, the Dog Watch Committee and the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing.

Source: Queensland Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.