Landholders and community members across the Western region are set to benefit with the news Bourke Shire Council has successfully received $926,000 from the Federal Liberal and Nationals’ Government to combat the wild dog problem.

The funding will be invested in coordinated baiting, trapping, monitoring and capacity building, involving 16 pest animal control and Landcare groups across six Western Division Shires.

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton was pleased to share the news in Bourke today.

“This is excellent news for Western New South Wales, where I know the wild dog problem has been crippling for graziers and local communities,” Mr Coulton said.

“I have worked hard to secure this funding, which will allow Bourke Shire Council to take part in a coordinated approach to tackle wild dog control.

“The project supports a range of integrated activities that will help with not only managing wild dogs on a regional scale, but developing the group’s cohesiveness to undertake similar works in the future. I congratulate the Bourke Shire Council and the Western Division Shires on their success.”

Bourke Shire Council has assumed the lead role in the project on behalf of the Brewarrina, Wentworth, Cobar, Central Darling and Broken Hill City Councils.

General Manager of Bourke Shire Council, Ross Earl, said he is extremely pleased with the outcome.

“We welcome this announcement from our local member, Mark Coulton,” Mr Earl said.

“This funding will help bring tangible results for farmers who are already struggling with drought, and certainly don’t need further stock losses as a result of wild dogs.

“It has been great to work with other councils on this application and I can’t speak highly enough of the efforts of Western Local Land Services (LLS) in coordinating it.”

Mr Earl said the involvement of Western LLS, local councils and the Federal Government, together with community groups, provides a coordinated approach and recognises the need for a collaborative effort in addressing the wild dog issue.

The Communities Combating Pests and Weed Impacts During Drought Program has been delivered by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources. All 18 local councils in the Parkes electorate were encouraged to apply via a competitive process to deliver projects under the Program in selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 2018–19. New South Wales was allocated $3 million in funding under the Program.

Also successful under the Program is Narrabri Shire Council, which received $127,680 to combat biosecurity and pest animal issues in the Pilliga, Gwabegar and Cuttabri districts.