Local Government
Northampton
Region
Midwest
Ajana/ Kalbarri Rd Northampton District
No. 3 Rabbit Proof Fence
State Barrier Fence
State Vermin Fence
Northampton
Midwest
Constructed from 1906
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heritage List | Adopted | 15 May 2020 |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - Does not warrant assessment | Current | 22 Feb 2019 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 19 Apr 1996 | Category 1B | |
The Rabbit Proof Fence has high historic significance for the role it played in the development of pastoral and farming properties in the district; social significance as being representative of the impact the rabbit plagues and emus had on the lives of farmers and as a remnant of the lonely and often eccentric lives of the men who patrolled the fence; and scientific significance as an attempt to control the biological plague of an introduced animal into the Australian environment. Examples of prominent and accessible sections of the Rabbit Proof Fence should be given a high level of protection under the Municipal Inventory. Other sections that are reasonably intact should be given ' retain and conserve' protection, together with mapping and recording of the full extent of the fence if it does not already exist. Interpretive signage explaining the history and purpose of the fence should be installed at appropriate locations.
The woven rabbit wire mesh fence is supported now on a combination of timber posts and 'star' pickets. The wire mesh is taken down and buried into the ground to prevent rabbits from digging under it. The fence has been modified over the years to also act as an emu proof fence but is now generally in poor condition.
The rabbit proof fence was constructed as a barrier to hinder the growing rabbit plague in the north & east from entering the southern coastal and agricultural districts. The No. 3 Rabbit Proof fence stretched 275km from just north of Yalgoo where it joined the No. 2 Fence to the sea between the mouth of the Murchison River and Port Gregory. Construction of the fence started on 16 November 1906 and was completed by 30 December 1907. However, this attempt to prevent the spread of rabbits failed and the fence was later used, with some initial success, to try and check the movement of emus, which had become a serious menace to the wheat farmers in the 1920s and 30s. Like the rabbits, the emu invasion worsened so that the government was forced to offer subsidies and bonuses per head of emu. Over the years, the fence was regularly upgraded and patrolled. At present the rabbit proof fence acts as lot boundaries in many instances.
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porter,B., "Pure Galena, A story of settlement in the Australian outback.". pp. 53, 56 | Publicit | 2001 | |
| Crowley, F. K; "Australia's Western Third". | Heineman, Melbourne | 1960 | |
| BL Acc Q994.12 | Suckling, A. J; "History of the Northampton District". | Teachers' Higher Certificate, |
Other Built Type
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Present Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Other |
| Original Use | GOVERNMENTAL | Other |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES | Government & politics |
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.