Ruqayyah Snyder
The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, formerly known as the Rabbit-Proof Fence, is a barrier fence that plays a crucial role in preventing animal pests, such as wild dogs, emus, dingoes, kangaroos, and foxes, from entering agricultural areas and causing damage to crops and livestock. The fence, which is approximately 1,350 kilometres long, extends from the Zuytdorp cliffs in the north to the west of Salmon Gums in the southeast. The original rabbit-proof fences (numbers 1, 2, and 3) were constructed between 1902 and 1907 to prevent rabbits from migrating into Western Australia. Over time, the fence's purpose expanded to include managing invasive species and protecting crops and livestock. The State Barrier Fence is regularly inspected and maintained by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), who engage with Aboriginal businesses to provide job opportunities for Aboriginal people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Prevent animal pests such as wild dogs, emus, dingoes, kangaroos, and foxes from entering agricultural areas |
| Length | Approximately 1,350 km |
| Location | Runs from the Zuytdorp cliffs, north of Kalbarri, to west of Salmon Gums |
| History | Originally constructed between 1902 and 1907 as rabbit-proof fences; renamed to State Vermin Barrier Fence, then Emu Fence, and now State Barrier Fence |
| Maintenance | Regularly inspected and maintained by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) |
| Access | Written consent from the department is required to access the 20-meter reserve; unauthorized travel is an offense with fines up to $10,000 |
| Extensions | A 660 km extension approved in 2019 to enclose Esperance and the southeastern agricultural area; expected to extend over 1,800 km upon completion |
| Cost | $6.9 million investment by the Western Australian Government, with contributions from the Australian Government and local Shires |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The State Barrier Fence's history as a rabbit-proof fence
The State Barrier Fence, formerly known as the Rabbit-Proof Fence, was erected in the early 1900s to keep wild rabbits out of farmlands in Western Australia. The fence, which stretches 3,256 kilometres from north to south across the state, was intended to protect crops and agricultural lands from the damage caused by rabbits and other invasive species.
Rabbits were first introduced to Australia in 1788 and were initially bred on farms and in enclosures. However, in 1859, an English settler named Thomas Austin released twenty-four wild rabbits onto his property, and by the late 1800s, agricultural losses from rabbit damage had become significant. In 1896, the Western Australian Undersecretary for Lands sent surveyor Arthur Mason to report on the rabbit population in the south-east of the state. Mason suggested constructing a series of fences to contain the rabbit population.
In 1901, a Royal Commission was held to investigate the rabbit problem, and it was decided to build a barrier fence across Western Australia. Construction of the fence, which was initially referred to as Fence No. 1, began that same year. Over the next six years, a 1,824-kilometre-long barrier was erected, stretching from the south coast to the northwest coast of Western Australia. Fence posts were placed 12 feet apart and made from a variety of materials, including wood and iron, depending on local availability. The fence was constructed by private contractors, and boundary riders were employed to regularly patrol the fence and fix any breaks.
Despite these efforts, the fence ultimately proved ineffective at preventing the spread of rabbits. Even during construction, rabbits were found in regions that the fence was intended to protect. To address this, a second fence, Fence No. 2, was built in 1905 to the west of Fence No. 1. This was followed by the construction of Fence No. 3, which joined with Fence No. 2. However, farmers between the two fences continued to suffer from rabbit infestations, and the rabbit population eventually spread beyond the fences.
Today, the State Barrier Fence continues to play a role in protecting Western Australia's agricultural industries and livestock. While the fence is no longer primarily focused on rabbits, it helps to keep out other invasive species such as dingoes, wild dogs, kangaroos, and emus. The fence is regularly inspected and maintained by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), who engage Aboriginal businesses to undertake this work and provide job opportunities for Aboriginal people.
Gold Rush Legacy: Australia's Golden Transformation
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The fence's role in wild dog management
The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, formerly known as the Rabbit-Proof Fence, plays a crucial role in wild dog management in the state. The fence, which is managed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), has been upgraded to wild dog standards since 2010, with regular inspections and routine repairs to ensure its effectiveness.
Wild dogs, including dingoes, feral domestic dogs, and their hybrids, pose a significant threat to livestock, particularly small stock such as sheep and goats, in Western Australia's rangelands. The fence acts as a barrier to restrict the movement of these wild dogs into the southwest of the state, protecting grazing industries and native wildlife.
The Western Australian Wild Dog Action Plan 2016-2021 recognises the need for improved coordination and effective wild dog management strategies. As part of this plan, the State Government has invested in repairing and maintaining the existing State Barrier Fence, with a focus on maximising Aboriginal employment. The plan also includes funding for additional Licensed Pest Management Technicians, wild dog research and development, and community engagement.
The success of the fence in wild dog management is evident through surveys of landholders, which show a positive impact on controlling wild dog populations. The fence plays a vital role in protecting the livestock industry and native ecosystems from the impacts of wild dogs.
Additionally, the fence has had unintended consequences on the Australian landscape. A study comparing drone images of the vegetation on either side of a dingo fence found that the exclusion of dingoes led to an increase in shrub cover, resulting in taller dunes and altered ecosystem dynamics. This highlights the complex ecological interactions influenced by the presence or absence of top predators like dingoes.
Australia: A Tourist's Dream Destination?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The fence's impact on agricultural pest control
The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, formerly known as the Rabbit-Proof Fence, has had a significant impact on agricultural pest control in the region. The fence, which extends over 1,206 kilometres, plays a crucial role in preventing animal pests such as wild dogs, emus, dingoes, and foxes from entering agricultural areas.
The fence was originally constructed between 1902 and 1907 with the primary goal of preventing rabbits from migrating into Western Australia. However, it soon became apparent that the fence was ineffective in the long term as a barrier against rabbits. Even during construction, rabbits were found in regions the fence was intended to protect. Over time, rabbits breached the fence and established colonies inside it.
Despite its limited success in rabbit control, the State Barrier Fence has proven valuable in managing other agricultural pests. Wild dogs, including dingoes, feral domestic dogs, and their hybrids, pose a significant threat to livestock, particularly small animals such as sheep and goats. The fence acts as a critical barrier, preventing wild dogs from entering agricultural areas and preying on livestock and native wildlife.
The Western Australian government has recognised the importance of the State Barrier Fence in wild dog management. Through the Royalties for Regions program, funding has been allocated to enhance wild dog control and agricultural pest animal management. This funding has contributed to significant improvements in protecting livestock and reducing the impact of wild dogs on grazing industries.
In addition to its pest control benefits, the State Barrier Fence has also played a role in Aboriginal engagement and employment. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has engaged Aboriginal businesses for maintenance work on the fence, providing job opportunities and capacity-building for Aboriginal people. Regular inspections and maintenance of the fence are necessary to maintain its effectiveness as a pest barrier.
The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia continues to be a vital asset in the state's efforts to control agricultural pests, particularly wild dogs and emus. The ongoing maintenance and extension projects, such as the Goldfields-Esperance region extension approved in 2019, demonstrate the Western Australian government's commitment to supporting the livestock industry and protecting agricultural areas from pest incursions.
Australia Luxe Sizing: Runs Large or Small?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The fence's extension and maintenance
The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, formerly known as the Rabbit-Proof Fence, has been extended and upgraded several times since its original construction between 1902 and 1907. The fence was initially built to prevent rabbits from entering Western Australia, but it later became important for managing emu migrations and controlling dingoes.
In 1905, the Number 2 Rabbit-Proof Fence was built to stem the advance of rabbits, who had already breached the Number 1 Fence. The Number 2 Fence intersected with most of the Wheatbelt railway lines of Western Australia. In 1907, the Number 1 Fence was the longest unbroken fence in the world, but even during its construction, rabbits were already hopping into the regions it was meant to protect.
Over time, the fence's purpose expanded to include controlling dingoes and other wild dogs, which pose a significant threat to livestock, particularly small stock such as sheep and goats. To combat this issue, the Western Australian Government has invested in upgrading and extending the State Barrier Fence as part of the Wild Dog Action Plan. Regular surveys have shown that these investments have had a positive impact on wild dog management.
One notable extension project was approved in April 2019, involving the construction of a 660-km section of the fence in the Goldfields-Esperance region. This project aimed to enclose Esperance and the southeastern agricultural area, extending the fence to over 1,800 km in length. As of the project's commencement, over 180 km of this extension has been completed. The $6.9 million investment in this project is intended to support the Western Australian livestock industry in their efforts to combat wild dogs.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the State Barrier Fence, which includes minor repairs, replacing fence wires and posts, small fence constructions, and re-hanging. The entire fence is inspected regularly, and Aboriginal businesses have been engaged to provide job opportunities and build capacity for Aboriginal people. To ensure the safety of staff and contractors, unauthorised travel on the reserve is prohibited, and surveillance cameras may be in place to monitor access.
Topshop: Shipping to Australia – What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The fence's cultural significance
The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, formerly known as the Rabbit-Proof Fence, has a complex cultural significance that has evolved over time. Initially, the fence was constructed to prevent rabbits from entering Western Australia from the east. However, it soon became evident that the fence was ineffective in this role, as rabbits were already present in the regions the fence was intended to protect.
Despite its failure as a rabbit-proof barrier, the fence took on a new significance in the control and management of other pest species. It played a crucial role in minimising the impact of periodic migrations of emus, leading to its renaming as the State Vermin Barrier Fence or the Emu Fence. The fence also served as a barrier against dingoes and foxes, protecting livestock and native wildlife from these predators.
One of the most notable cultural aspects of the State Barrier Fence is highlighted in Doris Pilkington Garimara's book, "Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence" (1996). The book recounts the true story of three Indigenous Australian girls who used the fence as a guide to escape from the Moore River Native Settlement and return to their families in Jigalong. The girls, who were part of the Stolen Generations, walked hundreds of kilometres along the fence line to find their way home. This story gained international recognition through the film "Rabbit-Proof Fence" (2002), based on Garimara's book.
The State Barrier Fence continues to hold cultural significance for Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. The Western Australian government has engaged Aboriginal businesses and provided job opportunities for Aboriginal people in the maintenance and inspection of the fence. This has contributed to capacity building and economic development within these communities.
Furthermore, the fence has played a role in shaping the literary and cinematic landscape of Australia. In addition to Garimara's book and its film adaptation, the fence has inspired other works of fiction, such as Australian writer Arthur Upfield's novel set in the desert. Upfield had previously worked on the construction of the No. 1 Fence, and his book included a plotline about disposing of a body in the desert.
In conclusion, while the State Barrier Fence of Western Australia may have been initially designed as a rabbit-proof barrier, its cultural significance extends far beyond its original purpose. It has played a role in pest control, particularly in managing emu migrations and protecting livestock from wild dogs. The fence has also become a symbol of resilience and resistance for Indigenous Australians, as showcased in "Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence". Additionally, it has provided economic opportunities for Aboriginal communities and inspired literary works, solidifying its place in Australia's cultural landscape.
Australian Mist Diet: What Do They Eat?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia, formerly known as the Rabbit-Proof Fence, is a fence that plays an important role in preventing animal pests such as wild dogs, dingoes, kangaroos, foxes, and emus from entering the state's agricultural areas.
The State Barrier Fence is approximately 1,350 km long and extends from the Zuytdorp cliffs, north of Kalbarri, to west of Salmon Gums. However, there are ongoing projects to extend the fence. In 2019, a 660 km extension of the fence in the Goldfields-Esperance region was approved, and as of 2024, the fence is expected to extend over 1,800 km once the Esperance extension is complete.
The State Barrier Fence was originally constructed between 1902 and 1907 as a rabbit-proof fence to prevent rabbits from entering Western Australia and causing damage to farmlands. The fence was later found to be effective in minimising the impact of emu migrations and protecting crops. Today, the fence continues to play a crucial role in wild dog management, supporting efforts to protect livestock in agricultural areas.
