Newman unleashes $30K for wild dog fence study

[Kit Kat]

Premier Campbell Newman has announced $30,000 in funding to investigate the construction of a new wild dog barrier fence in western Queensland.

It is proposed the fence would span 800 kilometres, from near Windorah through the Longreach, Barcaldine and Blackall-Tambo shires.

Mr Newman made the announcement during a visit to Barcaldine in the state's central-west yesterday.

He met the local council and woolgrowers, who raised concerns about the worsening wild dog problem and the need for a regional barrier fence.

"It's a very sensible and reasonable investment," he said.

"If this thing ultimately was to happen I reckon it will save millions and millions of dollars in lost production, that is money that will come back into the local communities."

Blackall woolgrower Rick Keogh says it is a big step forward.

He says wild dogs are having a disastrous impact on the region's economies and a new barrier fence would help the sheep industry survive.

"There's figures out there that each shire is losing in the region of around $3 million a year - it is just a disaster," he said.

Source: ABC News. Read more here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-23/n ... ection=qld