The state government has loaned $18 million to Longreach Regional council for the construction of 2, 500 kilometres of fencing to protect sheep flocks against wild dogs.
Longreach Regional council estimate the loan will support an additional 200, 000 sheep over five years, 130 new jobs and will attract an additional 500 people to the community.
The loan is part of wider plan to build 7500 kilometres of fencing in western Queensland (the equivalent of four-and-a-half times the length of the Bruce Highway) to the value of $31.2 million - to be distributed in grants and loans.
In a statement, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the first round of funding, announced in late 2015, was allocated with the aim of supporting the construction of almost 5000 kilometres of fence, 213, 000 sheep, 45 jobs and $5.7 in shearing, crutching and lamb marking wages.