Wild Dog Barrier Fence (The Dingo Fence)

Prior to the Dingo Barrier Fence Scheme, 38 dingo boards were set up around the State and paid out considerable bonuses for the destruction of marsupials, dingoes and foxes.

Up until 1930 it was estimated that there were some 32,000 km of dog netting in the State, much of which was constructed as top netting on rabbit fences.

The Dingo Barrier Fence Scheme was first proposed in 1948 after a report by the then Coordinating Board (equivalent to the Land Protection Council). It recommended that a barrier fence be established around the main sheep areas or potential sheep areas of the state. Most landholders desired the establishment of such a fence as a means of managing the impacts of dingoes and wild dogs.

Landholders along the proposed line were informed that wire netting would be landed on their properties free of cost if they established the barrier fence. The fence was built to certain specifications and a contribution was provided annually for repairs and maintenance. Six inspectors stationed in western Queensland supervised the construction and maintenance of the fence.

Up until the early 1970s, most of the barrier fence was maintained. However, regular instances occurred where landholders were not maintaining the fence. Some reasons given were:

• poor economic conditions
• change in land use from sheep to cattle
• damage by flood and fire
• some older sections required rebuilding
• the successful use of 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate) baiting for wild dog control.

In 1975, the estimated cost of bringing the whole of the original barrier fence up to dog-proof condition was $915,000. There was much opposition to these original proposals and they were eventually dropped. A shortened fence proposal was then canvassed amongst local governments and grazier organisations. The total length to be reconstructed and maintained was 2,125 km.

In 1982, the state government decided to implement a program through the board to upgrade parts of the existing fence and realign the fence to exclude previously protected areas in Central-Western Queensland and north-western Queensland.

In addition to the main barrier fence, a number of check fences were reconstructed and renewed in the southern Darling Downs area.

The barrier fence would now provide protection from wild dogs and dingoes only to central southern Queensland.

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines today administers the Wild Dog Barrier Fence. It is approximately 2,500 km long and has been totally reconstructed.

The Wild Dog Barrier Fence protects 26.5 million hectares of sheep and cattle grazing country.

Staff and Funding

Wild Dog Barrier Fence staff consists of 23 employees:

• A project officer who oversees all components of the Wild Dog Barrier Fence
• Two inspectors who supervise patrolmen on their sections of the fence
• Two two-person flying gangs (for immediate repairs of flood/fire damage and renewing aging or deteriorating sections)
• Eight two-person patrols, for ongoing maintenance.

Each two-person crew has a section of fence to maintain of approximately 300 km, which is patrolled once a week. Fully equipped depots are situated at Quilpie and Roma.

Today, the Wild Dog Barrier Fence is funded through contributions from

• State government (50%)
• Local government via precept collections (50%)

Fence Construction

The barrier fence is constructed using wooden posts, strainers, star pickets, wire and different types and sizes of netting. The fence line is cleared on both sides to a width of 5 m. Floodway fences are constructed using heavy cable.

The fence stands 1.8 m high with the netting at ground level laid a further 1.5m along the ground. Wire netting is secured at ground level using straight timber logs placed on the downstream side of the fence. Grids are of similar construction as Department of Main Roads grids.

Further information

Further information is available, from your local Department of Natural Resources and Mines Land Protection Officer, contact details available through 1800 803 788.

More information and tourist map available in this pdf file.