Have your say on the NSW Wild Dog Fence Extension Project

07 Mar 2022

The next round of community consultation for the NSW Wild Dog Fence Extension project is being held the week of 21-25 March along the NSW and South Australian border, with anyone with an interest or question about the project encouraged to attend.

Open community sessions covering all aspects of the project have been organised for landholders, community members, fencing and employment contractors, and environmentalists, as well as targeted sessions for the Aboriginal community.

The targeted sessions for the Aboriginal community will focus on the assessments for cultural heritage and biodiversity, as well as employment opportunities, while each session will include a presentation on the project.

The project team is keen to get a broad range of feedback and everyone, regardless of their viewpoint, is encouraged to attend a session, ask any questions they have, and provide formal feedback to be considered and responded to.

All feedback, ideas, suggestions and concerns that are raised during the sessions will be considered and help inform the project’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

The EIS is currently in development and will address biodiversity, construction methodology, soil and sediment, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage, flora and fauna and sustainability.

Once the EIS is drafted, it will be lodged with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, where it will be put on public exhibition for further feedback.

For COVID-19 and catering purposes, please register your interest to attend a session to Project Officer, Jean Holley on (02) 5852 1215 or email wilddogfence@scs.nsw.gov.au.

If you’re unable to attend a session in person, you can organise an online session with the project team, or provide feedback and ask questions via (02) 5852 1215 or wilddogfence@scs.nsw.gov.au.

The extension of the 583 km NSW Border Wild Dog Fence by around 750 km will be a game-changer for livestock producers and community members in Western NSW, offering employment and procurement opportunities for local businesses.

Prior to construction commencing, the project is undergoing an extensive assessments, approvals and community consultation process, providing relevant experts and local landholders and stakeholders an opportunity to have input into the project.

The economic impact of wild dogs is estimated to exceed $100 million every year across Australia, with around $22 million of this attributed to NSW.

Information and feedback sessions for landholders and all other interested parties 

• Monday 21 March, 2-4 pm — Tennis Club, Wentworth
• Wednesday 23 March, 9-11 am — Community Hall, Anabranch
• Wednesday 23 March,10:30 am-12:30 pm — Community Hall, Pooncarie
• Wednesday 23 March, 2-4 pm — Coombah Station, Scotia
• Thursday 24 March, 1:30-3:30 pm — Thyme on Argent, Broken Hill
• Friday 25 March, 9-11 am — Roadhouse, Packsaddle

Information and feedback sessions for Aboriginal community groups and individuals 

• Monday 21 March, 9:30-11:30 am — Coomealla Club, Dareton
• Tuesday 22 March, 9-11 am — Wompinni Station, Rufus
• Tuesday 22 March, 2-4 pm — Calperum Station, Cooltong, South Australia
• Thursday 24 March, 9:30-11:30 am — Thyme on Argent, Broken Hill

Media contact: Charlie Whiteley, 0428 679 974, Local Land Services.