Rabbit control

Feral rabbits are biosecurity matter under the Biosecurity Act 2015. All land holders in New South Wales must legally control biosecurity matter on their properties. Residents that pay rates to Local Lands Service (LLS) (ie, parcels of land over 10 hectares in size) should, in the first instance, contact a vertebrate pest officer in Bega or Braidwood LLS.

If rabbits are:

• on private property over 10 hectares, please call Local Land Services on 02 6492 1285
• on private property under 10 hectares, please call Council’s Invasive Species Supervisor on 02 4474 1269
• on Council land, please call Council’s Invasive Species Supervisor on 02 4474 1269.

We understand the control of rabbits in urban areas can be problematic. Council seeks to engage landholders adjoining Council lands to maximise control over a wider area. In the urban and small acreage environment, control is usually limited to a primary knockdown every three years with calicivirus (RHD) or Pindone baiting, with follow-up control via shooting.

In some areas there is background resistance to RHD and as such, primary knockdown is often best achieved through Pindone baiting, or where numbers are small and discreetly located, our well managed shooting program.

Local control options

Local control options will vary depending on the area, timing and size of the populations and in some places, the rabbit population.

• Stage 1: Monitor population to determine size and extent.
• Stage 2: Primary control - calicivirus knock-down, warren fumigation, Pindone baiting, shooting.
• Stage 3: Secondary control - Pindone baiting, shooting, trapping.
• Stage 4: Monitor population to measure decrease.

Suburbs that contain high value natural assets whose populations may be negatively impacted upon by rodenticides, will not be baited with Pindone. These assets include, but are not limited to, fauna such as the Brush-Tailed Phascogale, White-Footed Dunnart, Smoky Mouse, Long-Nosed Potoroo, Spotted-Tailed Quoll, Powerful, Sooty and Masked Owls and Lace Monitor.

Other works outside the scope of this schedule may be undertaken where resources allow.

Council’s Invasive Species staff are available to provide advice and extension services such as organising group RHD and Pindone baiting programs.

How we approach rabbit control

• We are not responsible for rabbit control on private property. We have a limited budget and prioritise rabbit control work based on monitoring and the protection of high value assets.
• Trapping can be useful for very small populations or isolated individuals or pairs.

Rabbit control schedule

Notes

• Work is completed subject to budget constraints.
• Other works outside the scope of this schedule may be undertaken where resources allow.
• Council's invasive species staff are available to provide advice and extension services such as organising group Pindone bait programs.
• Suburbs that contain high value natural assets whose populations may be negatively impacted upon by rodenticides, will not be baited with Pindone. These assets include but are not limited to fauna such as:
  • Brush-Tailed Phascogale
  • White- Footed Dunnart
  • Smoky Mouse
  • Long-Nosed Potoroo
  • Spotted-Tailed Quoll
  • Powerful, Sooty and Masked Owls
  • Lace Monitor.

We can help you

If you need more information about rabbit control, please do not hesitate to contact Council’s Invasive Species Supervisor Paul Martin:

• T: 4474 1269
• E: Invasive Species Supervisor