Local Government
Westonia
Region
Wheatbelt
Great Eastern Hwy Walgoolan
Westonia
Wheatbelt
Constructed from 1901
Type | Status | Date | Documents | More information |
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(no listings) |
Type | Status | Date | Documents |
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RHP - To be assessed | Current | 25 Nov 2005 |
Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | More information | |
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Category | Description | ||||
Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 18 Jun 1998 | Category 5 |
Category 5 |
The significance of this fence was with the introduction of Agriculture within the Wheatbelt and the preventative measures that were taken to resist the spread of the rabbit population.
It was made from Salt water paperbark posts, wire netting 42 inches wide, with a mesh not less than 1 1/2 inches, and no lighter than 17 gauge, ‘b’ grade with barbed and plain wire. Six inches of the erected wire netting was buried in the ground. Length 1837km (1139 miles) The minimum height of the fence was 2'-10". It is recognised by a plaque along the Great Eastern Highway. The Rabbit Proof Fence is the actual boundary of the Shire of Westonia.
The Rabbit Proof Fence is the longest fence in the world and cost £250 per kilometre to construct. It was carried out by the public works department. It was to prevent the rabbit population from moving east into the wheat and sheep areas of WA. The No. 1 fence commences at Starvation Boat Harbour (Hopetown) and terminated at Wallal between Port Headland and Broome.
Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
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Le Page, J.S.H. | Building a State | 1986 |
Library Id | Title | Medium | Year Of Publication |
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7300 | The longest fence in the world : a history of the No. 1 Rabbit Proof fence from its beginning until recent times. | Book | 1991 |
Other Built Type
Epoch | General | Specific |
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Original Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Other |
Present Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Other |
Type | General | Specific |
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Other | METAL | Other Metal |
General | Specific |
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SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Community services & utilities |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.