The Economic Impact of RAPAD’s Cluster Fencing Project is Being Compared to the Creation of 62 Thousand Jobs in Brisbane
The final report into round one of central western Queensland’s largest fencing project shows it’s on track to provide a boost to the regional economy in proportional terms, the same as creating 62 thousand new jobs in Brisbane over the next decade.
The Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) has released a comprehensive final report into the state government funded Queensland Feral Pest Initiative, Cluster Fencing Project spanning from March 2016 until April 2018. A full copy of the report is available here.
Between the 2011 and 2016 census periods, the RAPAD region has experienced a 14% decline in population and a 12.5% decline in jobs.
The fencing project will bring sheep back to the region, which in turn will create jobs and then bring more families back to live in the area.
Brisbane based economist with Hall Chadwick, Andrew Perkins, has looked at the program’s achievements, and projections over the next decade.
“The population is forecast to rise by 17% and jobs increase by 7.5%. To illustrate the magnitude of this change, if the same occurred in the Brisbane area in proportional terms, this would equate to an additional 200,000 people and 62,000 new jobs in the state’s capital,” he said
RAPAD CEO David Arnold acknowledges the election promise made by the Queensland Government last year to further fund the project and says now is the time to release the funding.
“We need to keep this momentum up and get round three rolling out across the region to deliver growth, jobs, and more confidence to the wool industry,” he said.
The program’s highlights include:
- Seventeen clusters representing 87 landholders formed
- Almost 1770km of fencing has been erected protecting 855 761 ha from wild dog predation
- Private investment of $11.36m equal to 70% of entire project
- All clusters have developed property management plans in partnership with Agforce, Invasive Animals CRC and National Wild Dog Action Plan.
In addition to the on-farm development and investment, the fencing program teamed with RAPAD Employment Services Qld (RESQ) to train long term unemployed in fencing skills. As a result of this, 15 long term unemployed have gained secure employment.
The project’s success has been recognised nationally. The Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development sought the guidance and knowledge of RAPAD to develop their own model which was delivered in 2017.
Testimonials provided by wool growers inside clusters are provided in the report and include;
“I only realized in the last few weeks, with some peace of mind, how much time I now have on my hands because I’m not concentrating on chasing dogs. Before fencing every time, I thought I had a spare moment it was taken up with chasing dogs! It takes days! First you have to find when they are, then set the trap etc. It’s not a five-minute job. I haven’t had a weekend off for years now it looks like I will.”
“I knew I would have a more content husband when the fence was up, but it’s been a real bonus us having more content sheep as well.”
“Fencing was the great distraction people needed in the drought. They could focus positively. Now people are looking 5-10 years down the track, but before the focus was only on the here and now. The massive shift in positivity has been paramount!”
“I’m able to pay someone else part time already. Going forward and being able to have more sheep here will mean a bigger chance of having a person on full time. The fence will allow us more carrying capacity, and we will slowly build up. It means things like three weeks of shearing instead of a week.”
“I’ve got to take my hat off to RAPAD for making it happen.”
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For interviews:
David Arnold 0428 583 301
RAPAD – CEO
Andrew Perkins 0411 266 843
Hall Chadwick Qld – Director
For assistance contacting producers:
Morgan Gronold 0448 739 759
RAPAD – Senior Regional Development Manager
ABC Landline Story: https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/programs/landline/2018-11-24/dog-fence:-a-predator-proof-exclusion-fence/10551898