Construction to build one of the longest wild dog fences in the world has been put on hold again due to complicated approval processes across multiple jurisdictions.
The $37.5 million NSW Border Wild Dog Fence Extension Project hopes to build a further 742 kilometres of fencing along the South Australian and Queensland borders to help primary producers protect their livestock.
The project would connect the current fence from Broughams Gate on the South Australian border to the Murray River, and also extend it from Hungerford on the Queensland border to Mungindi.
Works have previously been stalled due to the impacts of COVID-19 and bouts of wet weather, but were expected to resume around mid-2022.
The project's director of projects and partnerships, Adam Sadler, said the processes to approve the plans across the states were "complex".
"It's not been done before essentially, so it's hard to put a timeline on it," he said.
"We're working with the South Australian, Queensland and federal governments.
"Because we are beholden to the other jurisdictions, we are the same as anyone who has to work through processes with them."
Representatives from the project hosted multiple information sessions for communities across the Far West in March.
Mr Sadler said stakeholders and the public had been kept up-to-date on the progress of the extension.
"The project manager was able to brief the community on what's going on and just explain to them the context around getting approvals and why that's taking time," Mr Sadler said.
"It gave them an opportunity to give their feedback and present their frustrations with the project.
"The team have taken that on board and it's very important to us that we do that."
Producers keen for project to get underway
Despite waiting years for construction to kick off, producers in the region hope the project will soon come to fruition.
President of the Pastoralists' Association of West Darling, Terry Smith, said the whole state would benefit from its implementation.
"There's a gap between the existing fence between the New South Wales and South Australian side," he said.
"That means there's a bit of a funnel in the corner there which could put a bit of pressure on feeding dogs into New South Wales."
Mr Smith said it would particularly aid farmers in the event of a biosecurity crisis.
"If there's an exotic disease outbreak, if we can stop the movement of feral pigs or goats across the border, the fence will be well worth the money," he said.
There is currently no time frame for the delivery of the project.
