The Hon. Alannah MacTiernan, Minister for Agriculture and Food (WA), Media Release, 4 October 2022

Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan has officially opened an expansive cell fence project in the Murchison, which is protecting 53 pastoral properties in the region from wild dogs.

The McGowan Government has invested $1.144 million towards building the Murchison Regional Vermin Cell fence, to encourage small livestock production in the rangelands.

The cell builds off the State Barrier Fence to encompass more than 6.5 million hectares of pastoral land, extending through the Yalgoo, Mount Magnet, Sandstone, Cue and Meekatharra areas.

The State Government’s investment was part of the Western Australian Wild Dog Action plan. The cell will allow pastoralists inside the fenced area to control wild dogs, and mitigate the threat of the animals migrating back into the area from the surrounding rangelands.

This is one of four cells in the pastoral region – backed by the State Government – aiming to help rebuild the sheep industry by demonstrating the effectiveness of cell fencing in combating wild dogs.

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:

“Sheep farming and wild dogs are simply incompatible.

“The completion of this cell in the Murchison region will now allow pastoralists to get on top of wild dog numbers within the fence and give them confidence to invest in small stock production once again.

“This project has contributed to strong local job creation and Aboriginal involvement, including the use of regional contractors to erect 283 km of wild dog proof vermin fencing, and sourcing of materials through a local supplier.”