Fencing Biosecure Production Zones and Pest Knockout Grant Program

Key information

Local Land Services delivered the $3.7 million Fencing Biosecure Production Zones and Pest Knockout Grant Program to support landholders through practical projects that enhance biosecurity and sustainable agricultural practices. 

Key components of the program included: 

• constructing exclusion fencing
• carrying out pest animal control
• preparing for emergency animal disease outbreaks, such as foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease. 

Project objectives

Local Land Services delivered this project to benefit industry, the local environment, as well as local communities and economies. 

• Enhancing biosecurity - providing landholders with tools to manage pest animals and improve the resilience of their operations.
• Supporting sustainable practices - building capacity and encouraging the adoption of sustainable agricultural and biosecurity practices.
• Preparing for disease outbreaks - helping landholders get ready for potential animal disease outbreaks by creating biosecure zones and providing pest control measures.

Project delivery

Through a competitive expression of interest process, 9 landholder projects were approved, resulting in the construction of exclusion fencing across 376 km of land and the enclosure of 331,170 ha. 

The pest control phase involved the purchase of materials for pig traps and grain feeders for 1080 baiting. A cluster of neighbouring properties undertook an intense ground baiting program ahead of an aerial shoot in strategic areas to further control feral pigs and other pest animals.

Project outcomes

• Fencing completed: Approximately 350 km of the 376 km exclusion fencing has been completed, significantly improving landholder control over pest animals.
• Pest control: Following the fencing installation, landholders progressed with pest control works, focusing on feral pig control through traps, grain feeders, and aerial shooting.
• Immediate improvements: Landholders have already reported improvements in primary production, biosecurity, and biodiversity following the installation of exclusion fencing.

Benefits for landholders and the environment

The program is having positive effects on both the landholders and the local environment including:

• Improvements in primary production: Landholders have reported better control over pest animals like feral pigs, leading to increased groundcover and healthier livestock.
• Increased biodiversity: Monitoring cameras installed by landholders have shown a rise in wildlife and birdlife, particularly in areas where they were previously scarce.
• Biosecurity: The exclusion fencing is providing a robust tool for managing pest animals, safeguarding primary production, and preparing for future disease outbreaks.

Landholder experiences

Landholders are already seeing immediate improvements to their properties following the installation of exclusion fencing. 

“It’s been very pleasing to see the positive changes come about to our paddocks that are now enclosed behind our exclusion fencing.

“We’ve noticed an increase in our groundcover as we now have greater control over pest animals like feral pigs which is benefitting our livestock.

“We are really pleased to see an increase in the abundance of wildlife and birdlife on our property through monitoring cameras we’ve installed as part of the project, particularly in areas where they aren’t known to frequent.

“Getting the balance right between increasing our primary production while also improving biodiversity and the local environment is something we are passionate about.”

Nick Mannion, Lake Wallace Station.

Funding and partnerships

The Fencing Biosecure Production Zones and Pest Knockout Grant Program is part of the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to biosecurity. The project is being delivered by Local Land Services.