Annual rabbit control program begins

Eurobodalla Council will begin its annual rabbit control program next week.

Rabbits are a constant menace throughout the shire and control is conducted in late winter/early spring before active summer grass growth.

Suburbs to be targeted include Durras, Mackay Park at Batemans Bay, Surf Beach, Malua Bay, Lilli Pilli, Rosedale, Tomakin, Broulee/Mossy Point, Moruya Airport, Moruya’s South Head, Moruya (River Street foreshore reserve), Tuross Head, Kianga, Dalmeny, Narooma and Mystery Bay. In accordance with strict guidelines a mix of control methods will be used depending on the circumstances and can include warren fumigation, Pindone baiting and follow-up shooting.

It follows an extensive monitoring program that includes night-time vehicle spotlight counts in all Eurobodalla suburbs to ascertain population numbers and warren locations. Council also checks areas of known native animal activity by putting out ‘free feed’ and monitoring what eats it with an infrared camera. Poisoned feed will not be used if native animals are detected eating the free feed.

Council’s Invasive Species Supervisor Paul Martin encouraged any residents or holiday home owners with known rabbit infestations on their property to get in touch so Council can provide advice on how they can be eradicated.

He said if a single breeding pair was missed in the control program, it made a big difference to its success.

“A breeding pair of rabbits can potentially produce between 50 and 60 offspring in a single breeding season. Three months later their kittens are ready to produce as well,” he said.

“We have a real issue in our coastal suburbs of rabbits setting up camp under people’s homes and in their gardens.

“Council is here to help – and we need people to come on board with information and to control rabbits on their properties.”

Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, land owners and managers have a legal obligation to manage the risk of pest animals that they know about, or could reasonably be expected to know about.

For specific questions about rabbit populations please contact Council's Invasive Species Supervisor via 4474 1000 or email [email protected] or you can view Council’s rabbit control schedule.