Wild dog defence ramps up

The areas that will be aerially baited are based on reports of high wild dog activity and stretch from Coober Pedy to the North East Pastoral District, with the aim of stopping wild dogs moving further inside the Dog Fence.

Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone said the management of wild dogs in SA remained a priority despite the challenges presented by COVID-19.

"We've had reports from some pastoralists that wild dog impacts have been particularly high in recent months, and this is made worse by the ongoing drought conditions," he said.

"The impact of wild dogs on the pastoral regions is significant, costing livestock producers almost $90 million across Australia every year, so it's vital we continue with our integrated approach to wild dog control.

"The modified aerial baiting program will reduce the impact of wild dogs inside the Dog Fence by focusing on priority areas.

"The program minimises any related COVID-19 risks to regional SA by ensuring there will be minimal face-to-face interaction between staff, with pilots using isolated accommodation.

"Aerial baiting is just one aspect of our integrated wild dog control approach, which includes the $25m Dog Fence rebuild project, the bounty which pays pastoralists $120 per wild dog killed on their land, and an expanded trapper program."

Another aerial baiting program is planned for either spring 2020 or autumn 2021.

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The baiting announcement comes as the first successful tenders for the Dog Fence rebuild have been awarded to SA business Burra Fencing Contractors and Elders Rural Australia Limited.

Federal member for Grey Rowan Ramsey is pleased the first tenders have been awarded.

"It is particularly pleasing that both tender recipients will be supporting local jobs with Burra Fencing Contractors based in the Mid North of SA and Elders Rural Australia Limited supplying Australian-made Waratah mesh," he said.

"This project will provide extra employment opportunities while limiting the impact of wild dogs on our $4.5 billion livestock industry. By the third year, we expect that it will create up to 63 full-time jobs."

The first section of the rebuild involves 11 kilometres of complete rebuild and 15km of new lap mesh.

Burra Fencing Contractors director David Miller said it was fitting that a local company would be part of building the first section.

"We've worked in the North East pastoral country adjacent to the Dog Fence for many years, and we're proud to use our local knowledge on this important project, which is bringing jobs and money into regional SA," he said.

The Dog Fence rebuild is being funded by the state government ($10m), the federal government ($10m) and the livestock industry ($5m).

"The rebuild of the SA Dog Fence is a once-in-a-century project to help strengthen our agricultural sector, and it's continuing on schedule with work expected to begin by the end of the month," Mr Whetstone said.