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RAPAD Welcomes further State Government Investment in Fencing

A cluster of councils in central western Queensland have welcomed the State Government’s announcement of $2.2 million to fund more exclusion fencing in the region.

While cabinet was sitting in Longreach the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced a fifth round of Queensland Feral Pest Initiative funding for predator proof fencing for the sheep and wool industry.

This contribution follows three highly successful rounds in the RAPAD region of state government funding totalling $9.85 million.

The previous investment from the State Government which has been matched by $24.27 million invested by landholders has resulted in:

  • More than 3 thousand kilometres of fencing
  • Almost two million hectares of land protected from wild dogs
  • A forecast increase of sheep numbers by five hundred thousand
  • A 75% increase of lambing rates

RAPAD Special Project Officer Morgan Gronold says it’s not just the rural industries that benefit from the investment, it will impact the entire region’s economy.

“Our modelling shows the increase in sheep numbers will generate an expected $6 million in direct shearing, crutching and lamb marking wages per annum in the region,” he said.

The region continues to have high demand for cluster fencing.

“I know there are landholders ready to form clusters and begin fencing as soon as possible to not just protect themselves from the impact of wild dogs, but also to create regional jobs in agriculture and support Queensland’s COVID 19 recovery,” Mr Gronold said.Applications will open later this month.

RAPAD represents the Barcaldine Regional Council, Barcoo Shire Council, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, Boulia Shire Council, Diamantina Shire Council, Longreach Regional Council and Winton Shire Council, which combined cover almost 400,000 square kilometres or more than 20% of Queensland’s land area.

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