WITH wild dogs still an issue in WA, the State Government has committed $1.3 million towards projects working to protect WA's natural resources.
Part of this funding includes $40,000 for the Northern Mallee Declared Species Group, to help with baiting programs and repairing the barrier fence in a bid to further combat wild dogs.
The $40,000 accompanies a commitment made last year by the government of a further $5m announced in Royalties for Regions funding to help combat wild dogs throughout WA.
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the State Government had been working closely with industry and regional communities to control wild dogs.
Esperance farmer Scott Pickering agreed and said the additional $40,000 would go a long way in helping the Esperance region.
"The money will be used to help with paying for doggers and baiting programs," he said.
"The other Royalties for Regions funds will certainly help finish off the Yilgarn Gap project and help with a scoping study down here.
"I think the government is definitely doing something about it and we are moving forward.
"We have been pushing hard for funding and we have done fairly well.
"Its good to see the government spending money out in the country.
"However the pastoralists in the north are still suffering badly from dog problems."
Pastoralists and Graziers Association Wild Dog Control spokesman Will Scott said he welcomed the funding for the Northern Mallee Declared Species Group but said the southern pastoral region had been wiped out by dogs.
"For most people living outside the fence it's too late," he said.
"Twenty years ago the government and the pastoral industry worked quite well in controlling issues of wild dogs but then the government abandoned the bush and left us to our own devices.
"Giving $40,000 to the Northern Mallee Declared Species Group in State Government NRM funding is all well and good but the government has helped destroy a $50m dollar industry.
"If more isn't done we're going to get belted even more."
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region Wendy Duncan said she didn't agree with Mr Scott's comments.
"Part of the Royalty For Regions funding has been for doggers in the north in the pastoral regions, and that is being allocated through the regional biosecurity groups," she said.
"I haven't received any representation for additional funding for doggers in the pastoral region since the first round.
"We have allocated that funding and we need to know that it's been dispersed, that the positions have been filled and that it's working before we can consider whether more is needed for the region.
"The closing of the gap at the Westonia and Yilgarin area and the work down near Esperance will be protecting the agricultural region but is certainly not ignoring the pastoral region by any means.
"There is still work that needs to be kept up at both ends, from the government's point of view and from people on properties.
"The pastoral industry does a great job as far as getting together and organise baiting programs and as they do that the government is endeavouring to support them.
"The pastoral industry is a real challenge because of the way people are changing their business models and starting to farm cattle."
Ms Duncan agreed that this made it harder to have a blanket program because not everyone was baiting.
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