THERE has been some good news this week for proponents pushing for the Esperance extension of the State Barrier Fence with final environmental approval being given.
Work is set to begin in June on the 660 kilometre fence extension that will help farmers in Ravensthorpe and Esperance fight the ongoing scourge of wild dog predation on livestock.
The news comes after a further $955,000 of funding had been secured by the Shire of Esperance for the extension.
Federal Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson said the Shire had been successful in receiving funding under the Communities Combating Pests and Weed Impacts During Drought Program.
The funding adds to the $1 million announced by the Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud in Ravensthorpe recently.
"This combined investment of $1.95 million by the Federal government will ensure the fence construction can start as soon as possible and I will continue to work with Esperance Biosecurity Assoc. to secure the remaining funds needed," Mr Wilson said.
"Wild dogs are a huge problem in the Esperance region.
"We've seen the damage wild dogs can do and we've also seen how much things can improve with wild dog fencing.
"Other wildlife such as emus also cause thousands of dollars in damage to farmland every year.
"Lambing rates have improved out of sight where wild dog fences have been installed in other regions.
"Native wildlife numbers have also improved.
"I've worked with the Esperance Biosecurity Association for many years to secure funding for the fence extension to Esperance so I'm delighted the project will now proceed."
The McGowan government has also allocated $6.9 million towards the project, as part of its $28m commitment to tackling wild dogs in agricultural and pastoral regions.
The shires of Esperance and Ravensthorpe have also allocated funding for the project.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) was currently finalising pre-construction weed and dieback surveys, a condition of the environmental approvals.
DPIRD had also started a targeted training module aimed at upskilling Esperance Tjaltjraak traditional owners to complete fencing works.
The program partners DPIRD staff with up to eight Aboriginal trainees to drive training and employment opportunities on the Esperance extension.
"This is fantastic news for farmers around Esperance and Ravensthorpe, and means construction on the fence can get underway within months," Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan said.
"We are also ensuring that work on the project delivers real employment and training benefits to local Aboriginal people.
"Pre-construction survey work is almost complete and we look forward to celebrating with the Esperance and Ravensthorpe communities when the first post hits the ground."
Esperance Biosecurity Association president Scott Pickering said the announcement was the culmination of 19 years work.
"It is terrific news for the area and we can get on and start building this extension now and get it moving," Mr Pickering said.
"Wild dog activity on farms from Ravensthorpe to east of Esperance has been steadily increasing and this announcement will give farmers in the area the confidence to go back into livestock or increase their livestock numbers.
"It will also deter emus which do a significant amount of damage to crops in this region each year."
