RAPAD Releases EOI To Capture Continued Fencing Demand In The Region

The Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) is now calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI’s) from eligible landholders and groups who are seeking support to build strategic cluster fences and or linking existing exclusion/cluster fences.

RAPAD is advocating to the Queensland and Australian Governments for the progression of strategic cluster fencing in the local government areas of Barcaldine, Longreach, Blackall-Tambo, Winton, Barcoo, Boulia, Richmond, McKinlay and Flinders shires.

This EOI process is to demonstrate to Government the ongoing desire and need for exclusion fencing in our region.

Cr Rob Chandler, RAPAD Chair said, “the board made the commitment to approach Government asking for an additional $5m for cluster fencing in the region and we presented the Premier with this request when she visited Ilfracombe earlier this year.

This EOI process aims to demonstrate to Government the ongoing desire and need for exclusion fencing in our region”.

Cr Chandler continued, “through this EOI we are also keen to hear from producers who are seeking to link existing exclusion/cluster fences either privately or publicly funded. There has been a lot of anecdotal discussion and ideas around linking existing exclusion fences and we are keen to hear more from producers on this.”

“I need to be clear, this is an EOI only, and producers who provide a submission aren’t guaranteed funding or support but we remain hopeful that more funds do flow to the project. I stress this information collection is important”, said Cr Chandler.

“This EOI will build on the success of the Round 1 & 2 cluster fencing projects being delivered by RAPAD currently which will see:

• Increase in sheep numbers from 373 358 to and expected 735 966, an increase of 362,608;
• Increase in wages directly generated from shearing and crutching to grow from $4.48m to $8.83m, an increase of $4.3m;
• Net increase in jobs from 107 to 177, an increase of 70;
• Increase in regional gross margin from $21.6m to $35.2m, an increase of $13.6m;
• Total annual regional benefit from this funding is $22.7m, that is a $3.28 per year every year is being delivered to the region from every $1 government has spent on cluster fencing in the region”.

The Queensland Feral Pest Initiative has received funding through the Queensland Government to support the growth of a productive and prosperous food and fibre sector in Queensland and the Australian Government Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, the Australian Government’s plan for stronger farmers and a stronger economy.

For more information please contact

Rob Chandler RAPAD Chair 0427 512 314
David Arnold RAPAD CEO 0428 583 301

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