Orroroo sheep producer Geoff Power will help oversee the rebuild of the state's century-old wild dog barrier after being appointed chairman of the SA Dog Fence Board.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone said Mr Power was an "experienced livestock leader" and had the skills to support the state government to undertake the $25 million project being funded by the federal and state governmments and livestock industry.
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Mr Power said it was a challenge that he was very pleased to take up to have 1600kms of the 2100km fence rebuilt.
Mr Power, who is also the chair of the National Wild Dog Action Plan Consultative Committee, said a scoping study on the SA Dog Fence had already been completed but were keen to ensure all pastoralists are consulted.
'It is their fence so it has to work for them and we want to make sure we put up a fence that is durable and will last 80 years," he said.
"We won't get this opportunity again so we have to get it right."
The other members of the SA Dog Fence Board appointed last week are Christobel Treloar and Jock MacLachlan, both occupants of land affected by the Dog Fence, Peter Lawrie from the Far West Dog Fence Boards Association and Mount Eba Station pastoralist Peter Whittlesea.
Mr Whetstone said consultation was about to begin on the fence's rebuild to ensure pastoralists and those directly impacted by wild dogs are involved in the planning process.
"With work expected to begin on the fence next year, key industry stakeholders are being invited to form a Dog Fence Rebuild Committee which will provide strategic direction and lead the engagement of members of Local Dog Fence Boards and other pastoral stakeholders in the process of rebuilding the Dog Fence," he said.
Livestock SA president Joe Keynes said industry was highly supportive of the detailed consultation process proposed by the state government.
"This is an important investment and we need to make sure it's designed properly, using the right materials," he said.
Earlier in the year, the state government commissioned a cost benefit analysis for the Dog Fence rebuild which showed the positive impact on Gross State Product is expected to be $1.8m in the first year, $8.1m in the third year and $5.3 million in the 20th year.
