❓ This parliamentary question addresses concerns about inadequate maintenance of the State Barrier Fence, including delays in repairs, vegetation regrowth, and its impact on pest control. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) outlines its responsibilities, maintenance processes, funding, and ongoing efforts to ensure the fence's effectiveness.
AnsweredQoN 2323Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to reports that maintenance of the State Barrier Fence is currently inadequate, including delays in repairing damaged sections and vegetation regrowth in newly constructed and bushfire affected areas and I ask:(a) What responsibility does the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) hold for the inspection, maintenance and repair of the State Barrier Fence;(b) What processes are currently in place to identify, report and prioritise maintenance issues, including vegetation management and structural damage along the fence;(c) Once maintenance issues are reported, what is the time frame for carrying out repairs;(d) How frequently are inspections of the State Barrier Fence conducted, and are there any known gaps in inspection coverage;(e) Is the Minister aware of reports that overgrown vegetation is preventing LPMTs from carrying out pest control activities, particularly in the area East of Hyden:(i) if yes, what action is being taken to address this;(f) What funding has been allocated in the current State Budget for the maintenance of the State Barrier Fence;(g) Is the Minister satisfied that current funding levels are sufficient to ensure the fence remains fit for purpose in preventing wild dog and pest incursions;(h) What immediate works are planned to address sections of the fence that are damaged or ineffective, allowing pests to pass through;(i) Who is ultimately responsible for carrying out repairs and vegetation clearing along the fence; and(j) What measures are being implemented to ensure the fence remains operationally effective moving forward?
I refer to reports that maintenance of the State Barrier Fence is currently inadequate, including delays in repairing damaged sections and vegetation regrowth in newly constructed and bushfire affected areas and I ask:
(a) What responsibility does the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) hold for the inspection, maintenance and repair of the State Barrier Fence;
(b) What processes are currently in place to identify, report and prioritise maintenance issues, including vegetation management and structural damage along the fence;
(c) Once maintenance issues are reported, what is the time frame for carrying out repairs;
(d) How frequently are inspections of the State Barrier Fence conducted, and are there any known gaps in inspection coverage;
(e) Is the Minister aware of reports that overgrown vegetation is preventing LPMTs from carrying out pest control activities, particularly in the area East of Hyden:
(i) if yes, what action is being taken to address this;
(f) What funding has been allocated in the current State Budget for the maintenance of the State Barrier Fence;
(g) Is the Minister satisfied that current funding levels are sufficient to ensure the fence remains fit for purpose in preventing wild dog and pest incursions;
(h) What immediate works are planned to address sections of the fence that are damaged or ineffective, allowing pests to pass through;
(i) Who is ultimately responsible for carrying out repairs and vegetation clearing along the fence; and
(j) What measures are being implemented to ensure the fence remains operationally effective moving forward?
I refer to reports that maintenance of the State Barrier Fence is currently inadequate, including delays in repairing damaged sections and vegetation regrowth in newly constructed and bushfire affected areas and I ask:
(a) What responsibility does the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) hold for the inspection, maintenance and repair of the State Barrier Fence;
(b) What processes are currently in place to identify, report and prioritise maintenance issues, including vegetation management and structural damage along the fence;
(c) Once maintenance issues are reported, what is the time frame for carrying out repairs;
(d) How frequently are inspections of the State Barrier Fence conducted, and are there any known gaps in inspection coverage;
(e) Is the Minister aware of reports that overgrown vegetation is preventing LPMTs from carrying out pest control activities, particularly in the area East of Hyden:
(i) if yes, what action is being taken to address this;
(f) What funding has been allocated in the current State Budget for the maintenance of the State Barrier Fence;
(g) Is the Minister satisfied that current funding levels are sufficient to ensure the fence remains fit for purpose in preventing wild dog and pest incursions;
(h) What immediate works are planned to address sections of the fence that are damaged or ineffective, allowing pests to pass through;
(i) Who is ultimately responsible for carrying out repairs and vegetation clearing along the fence; and
(j) What measures are being implemented to ensure the fence remains operationally effective moving forward?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 June 2026
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
8 days
(a) The State Barrier Fence is a state government asset. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is responsible for the inspection, maintenance and repair of the fence, vegetation control and track maintenance.
(b) DPIRD’s maintenance program includes routine inspections, and follow ups of issues reported by stakeholders, a scheduled replacement and maintenance program, and the management of contractors engaged to undertake this work.
(c) DPIRD aims to respond to issues raised within one week, depending on availability of both staff and access according to seasonal conditions.
(d) On average, the fence is inspected on a monthly basis. Inspections are dependent on seasonal conditions and extent of maintenance required in some sections due to the topography, for instance where there are creeks or waterways, that impacts the condition of the fence.
(e) – (e) (i) Matters such as this are incorporated into the maintenance program.
(f) The 2026-27 State Budget provides $1.15 million for State Barrier Fence maintenance. Of this, $400,000 is allocated to replacing fatigued fencing as part of a capital replacement program.
(g) Over the past decade, the WA Government has invested more than $8 million to ensure the State Barrier Fence continues to be an effective barrier against wild dogs and other animal pests.
(h) Works to repair damaged sections of the fence are delivered in accordance with the department’s maintenance program.
(i) DPIRD.
(j) In addition to the maintenance measures outlined in previous answers, the department has undertaken a comprehensive replacement program over the past 8 years to replace more than 660 kilometres of old rabbit netting with ringlock fencing. Camera surveillance along the upgraded areas identifies maintenance needs in remote or hard to access areas.
(b) DPIRD’s maintenance program includes routine inspections, and follow ups of issues reported by stakeholders, a scheduled replacement and maintenance program, and the management of contractors engaged to undertake this work.
(c) DPIRD aims to respond to issues raised within one week, depending on availability of both staff and access according to seasonal conditions.
(d) On average, the fence is inspected on a monthly basis. Inspections are dependent on seasonal conditions and extent of maintenance required in some sections due to the topography, for instance where there are creeks or waterways, that impacts the condition of the fence.
(e) – (e) (i) Matters such as this are incorporated into the maintenance program.
(f) The 2026-27 State Budget provides $1.15 million for State Barrier Fence maintenance. Of this, $400,000 is allocated to replacing fatigued fencing as part of a capital replacement program.
(g) Over the past decade, the WA Government has invested more than $8 million to ensure the State Barrier Fence continues to be an effective barrier against wild dogs and other animal pests.
(h) Works to repair damaged sections of the fence are delivered in accordance with the department’s maintenance program.
(i) DPIRD.
(j) In addition to the maintenance measures outlined in previous answers, the department has undertaken a comprehensive replacement program over the past 8 years to replace more than 660 kilometres of old rabbit netting with ringlock fencing. Camera surveillance along the upgraded areas identifies maintenance needs in remote or hard to access areas.
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