Rebuilding the Dog Fence
The Dog Fence protects South Australia's $4.3 billion livestock industry by stopping wild dogs from migrating into land used for sheep production. This area is known as the sheep zone.
In 2018, more than two-thirds of the South Australian Dog Fence (1,600 kilometres) was over 100 years old. Many sections were aged and brittle, and had been degraded by kangaroos, emus, feral camels, wild dogs, weather events and sand erosion.
The independent Economic analysis of the South Australian Dog Fence ( ) by BDO EconSearch showed that replacing the 100-year-old sections of the Dog Fence and reducing the impact of wild dogs could create a net benefit to the community of between $56.4 million and $112.9 million over a 20-year period.
This project will improve a 2,110 km barrier that stretches from the Great Australian Bight to the New South Wales border.
Project timeline
The rebuild of the Dog Fence started in May 2020. As of June 2025, more than 1070 kilometres of fence has been rebuilt, with work underway on a further 225 kilometres. The contracts to rebuild the remaining 205 kilometres have been awarded.
The project was planned for completion in June 2024. Due to extreme weather events and contractor shortages, completion is now expected in June 2026.
Progress of the dog fence rebuild
Stakeholder consultation
A Dog Fence Rebuild Committee engages the local Dog Fence boards and other pastoral stakeholders to ensure each section of the new fence is best suited for the terrain, the type of ground, and pressure from wild animals in that area.
The committee considers if the fence needs to be moved, and which sections of the fence should be prioritised for rebuild.
The Dog Fence Rebuild Committee comprises the following:
- Chairs of the local Dog Fence boards
- Chair of the SA Dog Fence Board
- the owner of the north-west private section of the Dog Fence
- President of Livestock SA
The committee is chaired by Mr Will Zacharin, and executive support is provided by PIRSA staff
More information
- South Australian Wild Dog Management Strategy 2023–2033 ( )
- Dog Fence rebuild information sheet ( )
- Talking wild dogs with Lindell Andrews on the South Australian Fence – 2WEB Outback Radio (SoundCloud)
Contact
Lindell Andrews – Dog Fence Rebuild Manager
Phone: 08 8429 0831
Email: lindell.andrews@sa.gov.au