Emu Barrier Fence

Parent Place or Precinct

05022 Rabbit Proof Fence No 2 and No 3

Statement of Significance

Emu Barrier Fence, also known as the No. 3 Rabbit Proof Fence, forms part of the world's longest continuous standing fence.
Emu Barrier Fence is representative of an early method of pest control in rural Western Australia, originally established to control the movement of rabbits but eventually utilised to prevent the movement of dingoes, foxes and emus and other native fauna. It demonstrates the historical and current efforts made to control the movement of indigenous and introduced animals and pests, across the Western Australian natural and agricultural environment.
Emu Barrier Fence is significant for its contribution to agriculture at the turn of the century and played an important role in the development of pastoral and farming properties in the Northampton district.

Physical Description

Emu Barrier Fence commences at the Western Australian coast at the mouth of the Murchison River and Port Gregory and extends along southern boundary of Kalbarri National Park through the suburbs of Ajana and Coolcalalaya to the intersection of Coocalaya in the Shire of Northampton and Dartmoor in the Shire of Chapman. The fence runs along a number of lot boundaries in this location.
Emu Barrier Fence is approximately 114 kilometres long and comprises woven rabbit wire mesh supported on a combination of timber posts and star pickets. It was originally constructed as the No. 3 Rabbit Proof Fence, to contain the spread of rabbits in the region. In 2005 it was noted that the fence had been modified over the years to also act as an emu proof fence but was in poor condition.

History

Following the introduction of rabbits to Australia in approximately 1859, the animal rapidly caused catastrophic damage to the natural and agricultural regions. After much debate and a Royal Commission, the government eventually adopted the idea of a barrier fence. In 1901 the Government Surveyor, A.W. Canning was commissioned to survey a fence line with the intent to cut off the flow of rabbits entering Western Australia.
When completed, Rabbit Proof Fence No. 1 was the longest fence in the world, stretching from Starvation Boat Harbour, just west of Esperance in the south, to Wallal on the 80 Mile Beach in the north west, a distance of 1822kms. However, even before completion, rabbits were found beyond it, and so work began on Fence No. 2 further west. No. 3 (Emu Barrier Fence) was built along the east west axis, to cut off the northern half of the state from rabbits. Construction of No. 3 started on 16 November 1906 and was completed by 30 December 1907.
The fence was maintained by boundary riders patrolling 240km stretches of fence line. Permanent water catchments and huts were located at regular intervals of 50kms, gates at every 32kms. Grids and rabbit proof gates were constructed where the fence crossed the road. Trap yards were also established every eight kilometres to trap foxes, dingoes and rabbits.
Although the use of the fences had failed to prevent the spread of rabbits, the fences were retained and later used to spread the flow of other pests. During the 1920s and 1930s, plagues of emus caused problems for wheat and sheep farmers in the Wheatbelt and beyond. Finally in the 1950s, the Agriculture Protection Board modified and extended the existing rabbit proof fences. The renamed Vermin fences were intended to restrict the movement of rabbits, emus, wild dogs, donkeys, goats, camels and kangaroos. The metre-high wire fences were topped with barbed wire, and were adapted to withstand animal breakthroughs in particular locations. In 1959, two purpose-built emu fences were constructed by the Agriculture Protection Board, successfully slowing the movement of emus to the north-east of Geraldton. One was constructed between the No. 1 and No. 2 Vermin fences, which are likely to be the original Rabbit Proof Fences No. 1 and No. 2. The other was situated near Emu Barrier Fence.
By 1963, the State Barrier Fence, as it came to be known, stretched ‘inland from the Zuytdorp Cliffs south of Shark Bay to east of Hopetoun on the south coast’ , encompassing Emu Barrier Fence, and the former Rabbit Proof (or Vermin) Fences No. 1 and No. 2. Over the years, the fence continued to be regularly upgraded and patrolled by the Agriculture Protection Board in the management of a range of feral and native pests.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Disclaimer

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.