Two resources companies are contributing to the 1,600 kilometre rebuild of the Dog Fence in South Australia, with the donation of a drill rod.
The 5,400 kilometre South Australian Dog Fence protects the sheep industry from wild dogs and dingoes. The fence stretches across the State from the Great Australian Bight near Fowlers Bay, borders New South Wales, and then turns north and east across Queensland to the Darling Downs.
More than two-thirds of the South Australian Dog Fence is more than 100 years old. Over time the fence has been degraded by kangaroos, emus, feral camels, wild dogs, weather events and sand erosion.
Santos and OZ Minerals are donating more than 4,000 lengths of drill rod to the project, which is being cut and used for fence posts as part of the $25 million Dog Fence rebuild.
The rebuild is being funded by the South Australian Government ($10 million), the Commonwealth Government ($10 million) and the livestock industry ($5 million).
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, David Basham, said the donation of the steel posts will support the once in one hundred year rebuild of the fence.
“Santos and OZ Minerals have generously donated thousands of lengths of drill rod, which is highly in demand and often difficult to source, to ensure the rebuild of the historic South Australian Dog Fence continues to move along swiftly,” Minister Basham said.
“Santos has committed 3000 lengths of drill pipe to the project and OZ Minerals has donated 1000 lengths to date, with more to come.”
“The resources and pastoral industries have long been partners in our northern rangelands and we thank these businesses for coming forward with an offer to help rebuild this important infrastructure,” he said.
“Pastoralists and those farmers whose sheep have been severely impacted by wild dogs are extremely appreciative of these donations.”
The $25 million Dog Fence Rebuild project is estimated to deliver net benefits to South Australia of between $56 million and $113 million over 20 years.