The following is intended as advice to help landholders embarking on fencing.
Use concrete or metal end assemblies, as timber is easily burnt in bushfires. Black Range landholders have learnt this the hard way, ie: twice in the last 17 years.
Don’t thread wire through steel post holes, rather attach using twitched wire through eyelet joins. Otherwise more damage & effort/cost to repair when burnt or trees & limbs fall on fence, - which they do regularly. Ie; regular patrol & maintenance of fence required ( 3 – 6 months) especially after wind storms. Suggest tree/limb trimming of suspect limbs/trees when fence is constructed.
Careful not to overstrain fences in granite soil. Otherwise posts may lift out of ground, even if concreted in. Granitic soil compaction expands and contracts with seasonal moisture differential.
Careful placement of end assemblies, ie: many springs in the range can compromise the structural integrity of the fence. Local knowledge can assist with identifying indicator plant species of wet spring areas when planning fence location.
Consider fence wire type/design depending on fence location and purpose. Ie: high trespass traffic area may require hinge joint, fence to deter trespass (trailbikes). But to allow movement of native wildlife through/over fence and also deter trailbikes may require careful positioning of 4-5 plain wires as fence.
Consider length of fence at high trespass pressure points, ie: landholders have fenced to points where trailbike/4x4 access is inaccessible, such as rocky outcrops, thick vegetation, steep slopes etc. Otherwise they’ll just go around.
Pay particular attention to the integrity of gate security. Ie: some trespassers will undo gate bolts and remove the gate or cut gate chains with bolt cutters. They’ve also cut fencing wire to get through, but nothing you can really do about this. Consider installing remote cameras to at least identify people/rego numbers for police reporting. Previous reports of trespass to police have occurred in the past, but police say there’s really nothing they can do unless they have documented evidence.
Be aware of high pressure trespass points on your property in addition to where you are thinking about fencing.
Rabbit proof fences using rabbit proof netting if constructed to the correct standard can exclude rabbits from areas of high value, ie:- biodiversity, vegetable gardens, revegetation or agricultural production. These fences are expensive to construct and are rarely effective over large areas unless diligent surveillance and repair is conducted over many years. They can be effective over smaller areas if rabbits are first eradicated and the fences are then regularly monitored and maintained. Rabbit proof fences can impede the movement of smaller native animals, so this should be considered when planning their location and construction.
There are several local fencing contractors in the Stawell district. Their contact details may be available from local rural supply stores, websites, Facebook etSome Black Range landholders may also have contact details.
