Polymer logs are being trialled

FLOODING presents a regular challenge to agricultural fencing, as the current crisis for northwest Queensland graziers demonstrates.

Technology in the form of buoyant engineered polymer logs could offer part of a solution to managing fencing in groundwater flow areas such as gullies, waterways and open flooding areas.

Biosecurity Queensland is in the early stages of a trial program to assess the use of polymer logs to replace timber batons and long logs in the floodways along the wild dog barrier fence. Biosecurity Queensland Wild Dog Barrier Fence project manager Paul Gray said that, to date, 600 batons had been installed on 30 floodgates over a 15km section of the WDBF in the Western Downs and Maranoa.

“The floodway lifts when there is a flow of water passing through and allows debris to pass through. When the water recedes, the apron will once again sit along the ground by using the weight of the batons to create an impenetrable barrier,” Mr Gray said. Beyond buoyancy, the logs offer a range of benefits around longevity, safety and recycling.

“The life of these new products is expected to be 20 times the life of a standard timber baton or long log, representing a considerable saving over the long term,” he said. “The advantages of using this product include reduced risks associated with chainsaw operation, eliminating the time involved in cutting and collecting wooden batons and long logs, and decreasing the need for locally sourced timber.”

It is currently anticipated that it will take 10 years to complete the replacement program, subject to deterioration rates of existing batons.