Community
15 November, 2024
Field day to reduce rabbit impact
PARTS of south-west Victoria are being overrun by rabbits but a free control field day at Illowa next week will present ways for the community to tackle the problem.
The field day will feature Tim Bloomfield from the Victorian Rabbit Action Network who will join local land managers and community group representatives to discuss their experiences with rabbit control.
Megan Hammond of Parks Victoria will speak about rabbit control at Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and the Good Neighbour program, while Illowa Rabbit Control Group members will talk about rabbit control on private and public land.
There will also be an in-field demonstration of control options.
The event will run from 10am to 2pm next Monday, November 18 at the Illowa Community Recreation Reserve.
It is part of the Partnerships Against Pests South West Victoria project established by the Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network.
The project also involves 15 community-based organisations and government agencies who are working collaboratively on an education program to address regional pest plant and animal issues.
Warrnambool & District Landcare Facilitator Danielle Nipe said the field day would be for landholders, conservation groups, contractors, local government and state government agencies.
“It’s an opportunity for people to get up to speed on a range of tools, best practice technologies and strategies for rabbit control,” Ms Nipe said.
She believes some parts of the region were being overwhelmed by rabbits, particularly along foreshore areas and in and around Tower Hill where there is ample cover and food.
“It’s an overwhelming problem for some farmers because it is difficult to eradicate them. Their breeding cycle and being so quick to reproduce makes eradication very tricky.”
Ms Nipe said the field day would look at the best control methods supported by Agriculture Victoria and the Victorian Rabbit Action Network, which was established in 2014 to promote community-led action for more sustainable and effective rabbit management.
“You have to stay on top of the control and it is recommended you use multiple methods one after the other, starting with baiting, then destroying burrows and using chemicals to fumigate them.
“The other issue is that you need to do it as a community. If you’re doing work and your neighbour isn’t, it’s a waste of time and money so it needs to be a collaborative effort.”
To register for the field day (which will include morning tea and lunch), email Danielle Nipe at facilitator2@wcln.org.au or call 0455 265 762.
The project has been funded by the state government.
Project participants include Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network, Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Warrnambool City Council, Moyne Shire, Agriculture Victoria and DEECA.
Parks Victoria and community-based groups Friends of Pallisters Reserve, Kurri Kurri Coop, Belfast Coastal Reserve Action Group, Friends of Tower Hill, Killarney Coastcare Group and Warrnambool Community Garden will also take part.
