Farmers’ Meetings Presentation Munglinup – July 26 Gibson – July 27 Neridup – July 28 STATE BARRIER FENCE – Esperance extension

ASHEEP Esperance Rural Supplies RabobankEmerald Group Australia South East Air Ag TudReed Nominees Landmark Operations Brindley & Gale South East Petroleum Farm & General Wesfarmers Federation Ins. Esperance Stud Merino Breeders Assoc. Corporate Members:

 Dog attacks increased in Dec  head of stock reported killed in December 2003/January2004  No planned or co-ordinated approach  Group formed at meeting in Salmon Gums February $10, budget NMDSG Background

Reduced stock losses Extensive targeted hand baiting, working with farmers, better bait placement, expansion of the buffer Employment of two full time doggers Successful trial of Maremma Guard dogs Two co-ordinated aerial baitings, Autumn and Spring Developed and implemented a 5 year management plan and budget Direct links to National and State Wild Dog Committees and the State Barrier Fence Committee Working closely with stakeholders, Esperance Shire, SCNRM inc. DAFWA and DEC Incorporation of the NMDSG Positive media promotion ACHIEVEMENTS

 “Unless landholders take responsibility for wild dog management and tackle the issues head on, no amount of support or technical advice will be enough to reduce the impacts of wild dogs on producers,”  “In this instance the landholders within Esperance have taken on the responsibility, and with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of Environment and Conservation, South Coast NRM inc. and the Esperance Shire, they have developed an effective wild dog management program that is preventing wild dogs moving into the area and causing significant damage.” (Greg Mifsud/Scott Pickering 2009)

 Fox control - fox baits provided to members  Strengthen the UCL buffer  Landholder training - DSG dogger field days  Appointment of Administrator  Corporate sponsorship  Promote extension to State Barrier Fence  More Maremma dogs into Esperance

 Your community managed group  By farmers for farmers  Locally co-ordinated  Protecting your industry  $ target specific - small admin. costs Your input and support is needed

 $8.82M 2009/10 to 2013/14 $5.17M for State Barrier Fence upgrade and extension  Major components  Esperance Fence  Yilgarn Gap  Funding solely for purchasing fence materials and majority of $ have been allocated in the 2011/12 state budget  Local communities to be approached to erect the fence $3.65M to fund 8 additional doggers in the southern rangelands and the agricultural fringe from Esperance to Northampton  Doggers to be managed by community groups (Northern Mallee Declared Species Group)

 Non fence control can provide notable levels of control against wild dogs but are ineffective against large emu migrations  Works 24hr/day, not reliant on active committees  Socially acceptable non-lethal method of controlling vermin  Little adverse impact on non-target native species.