Australia has a number of massive continuous barrier fences, built by farmers and pastorlists from the late 1800’s, to try and control the movement of native and introduced pests that were threatening the land and stock.
We’re going to look at the development & operation of the massive Dingo Fence, the longest wild dog exclusion barrier, now running as a continuous line across 3 States, over more than 5400 kilometres (3350 miles). (52 mins)
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Podcast recommendation
History of Aotearoa New Zealand Podcast. https://historyaotearoa.com/
References : Ep 28
Woodford, J. (2003). The Dog Fence: A journey across the heart of Australia. Melbourne: Text Publishing Company.
Percival, D., & Westney, C. (1989). Fence people: Yarns from the dingo fence. Milsons Point; NSW: Hutchinson Australia.
ABC. (2019). The Science Show: How to control Australia’s wild dogs. Retrieved from https://abcmedia.akamaized.net/rn/podcast/2019/06/ssw_20190615_1235.mp3
Broomhall, F. H. (1991). The Longest fence in the world: A history of the No. 1 Rabbit Proof Fence from it’s beginning until recent times: Hesperian Press, Carlisle. Western Australia.
Pilkington Garimara, D. (1996). Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence: University of Queensland Press.
Film: Rabbit-Proof Fence. (2002). Becker Entertainment. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0252444/
Burrell, S. (2019). Dingo: Australian Museum. Retrieved from https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/mammals/dingo/
(Cameron Corner) Wild Dog Barrier Fence. Retrieved from https://www.visitbulloo.com.au/downloads/file/30/wild-dog-barrier-fence-information-sheet-pdf
Dad fights off dingoes that took toddler from camper trailer on Fraser Island off Queensland coast. (2019, 20 April2019). ABC News. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-19/queensland-toddler-attacked-by-dingoes-on-fraser-island/11031828
Department of Defence. About the Woomera Prohibited Area. Retrieved from https://www.defence.gov.au/woomera/about.htm
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA). (2019). (WA) State Barrier Fence Overview. Retrieved from https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/invasive-species/state-barrier-fence-overview
The State Barrier Fence of Western Australia: CENTENARY 1901 – 2001. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20050722133944/http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/programs/app/barrier/history.htm
Dingo Attack (Wikipedia). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dingo_attack#Cases
Bull ants (Australian Museum). Retrieved from https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/insects/bull-ants/
Dingo fence dismantlement could help farmers and the environment, ecologist claims. (2018, 4 Feb 2018). ABC News. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-04/ecologist-questions-environmental-value-of-dingo-fence/9393380?pfmredir=sm
Cats not scared off by Dingoes. https://theconversation.com/cats-are-not-scared-off-by-dingoes-we-must-find-another-way-to-protect-native-animals-123039
Gammage, B. (2011). The biggest estate on earth : how Aborigines made Australia. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Crows Nest, N.S.W. : Allen & Unwin.
Anna Creek Station (Wikipedia). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Creek_Station
Rabbits in Australia (Wikipedia). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbits_in_Australia
FenceWA: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/invasive-species/state-barrier-fence-overview
Moorabool Landcare Network, & et al. ([2019]). Rabbit Management Guide: A practical guide to rabbit management to assist land managers implement effective control.
NSW Wild Dog Management Strategy 2017–2021. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/445234/NSW-Wild-Dog-Management-Strategy-2017-2021.pdf.
PRISA. (2019). The Dog Fence in South Australia. Retrieved from https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/weeds_and_pest_animals/animal_pests_in_south_australia/established_pest_animals/wild_dogs/dog_fence
Barrier fences in Queensland. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/1431534/ipa-barrier-fences-qld.pdf
Great Wall of China (Wikipedia). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China
The Department of Infrastructure Transport Cities and Regional Development. Standardisation of Australia’s Interstate Track Gauge. Retrieved from https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/history.aspx
MUSIC
Dingo Howl (Recording: Thirnbeck, M.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI8S_gEG2Qo
Fence Music: Jon Rose. Anna Creek Fence Music. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93bqXIeBhP4
Background birds (Recording: “Desert at Night” (kangaroovindaloo) CC )