MORVEN landholders have high hopes that a grazing management strategy being planned by South West NRM will give them the tool they need to get on top of their wild dog problems.
Former Murweh Shire Wild Dog Advisory Group chairman and one of only three graziers still running sheep in the Morven district, Duncan Jukes, said despite the best efforts of everyone since dog numbers exploded after the break of the 2002-03 drought, properties were still overrun.
"We are winning battles but not the war," he said.
"We have to try a different tactic. With fencing we'll be getting a better balance between everything, too."
South West NRM aims for a project enabling groups in its region to work together to create a holistic management strategy and cut costs through economies of scale.
Regardless of whether government funding is available, SW NRM has money 'in kitty' to establish a few trial cluster management projects and will meet soon to decide whether to go ahead.
The Morven group hopes to enclose 400,000ha behind high-integrity fencing.
Mr Jukes said Murweh's advisory group had tried a number of strategies since coming together eight years ago, including adopted the Paroo Shire model of dividing the area into zones with coordinators to undertake broadscale baiting campaigns and trapping programs.
More than 3000 wild dogs have been trapped in the shire since then - 800 alone from the Morven area.
"This plan to fence is a way of getting better control and then keeping it that way," he said.
"I've no doubt that dogs will keep at us regardless because their numbers are so great, but we've just got to try and use a barrier to beat them back."
Mr Jukes said it was important for the future of rural communities not to put all their eggs into the cattle basket, thanks to the cyclic nature of the industry. "There used to be 12 shearing teams in Charleville spending their money, and seven in Morven. There's none of that happening now. Even with a fence we won't be flush with sheep. The passionate sheep people have gone and they've been replaced with absentee landlords.
"But we've got to do something to give us options again."
He said SW NRM looked more favourably on the plan once it was demonstrated it had at least 70pc landholder involvement.
"Understandably, they don't want to help just one or two properties this way will pack a bit more punch."
Another supporter of the concept is Will Roberts from Victoria Downs, who said it made sense from a biodiversity view.
"It gives you a clean area, and good stuff happens from looking after your flora and fauna."
