What about garden fencing in Shoreham?
No not the kind using electrified foils and physically protective clothing, just the bog standard kind.
But have you considered the effect of fencing on our Environment and fauna other than privacy?
The Problem
Fences are an Important part of managing Rural properties, and they ensure domestic stock are contained and identify the legal boundaries of properties. However fences are also a major hazard for wildlife. Over 70 Aussie animal species have injured by them. This includes birds, possums, gliders, bats, koalas, wallabies and kangaroos. Reptiles may also be at risk due to their backward facing scales which can get caught in narrow spaces and gaps in fencing.
Fencing can pose several risks to wildlife. Fencing can lead to animals being tangled and seriously injured and fences can also limit natural dispersal and thereby reduce habitat availability. This can reduce breeding opportunities and may lead to lack of genetic mixing creating genetic problems especially in small populations.
Improving fencing for Wildlife can have many benefits including reduced maintenance, lower costs of installation, to visually pleasing and providing local wildlife with freedom to move without the risk of injury.
Barbed wire
Barbed wire presents a serious risk to wildlife and should be avoided. In the Macedon Ranges, gliding possums such as the Endangered greater glider and the locally common sugar glider have been found dead on barbed wire fences. Of course many animals escape barbed wire but sustain injuries , escape but die later as a result of their injuries.
Kangaroos are particularly prone to injury by fences. Improving visibility of the top wire can help animals to clear the fence while jumping.
How to Help
Fence design to allow animals to pass underneath.ie 40cm
Choose plain high tensile fencing wire which can contain most stock
If wire must be used avoid barbed wire on the top 3 strands and the bottom.
Keep the fence low max height 1.2m…kangaroos can pass over the top.
In high quality vegetation areas and near water use plain wire or place wire inside split pipe.
Consider retrofitting existing fences with reflective materials e.g. CD’s ,aluminum plant tags
Consider if you really need a fence or could you use vegetation to enclose an area?
Electric fencing can be used with caution. keep hot wire above 45cm allowing small fauna under.
Avoid the use of Ringlock which may catch kangaroo legs.