Residents are being asked to keep dogs on leashes and adhere to detour signage at local reserves as Council's Rabbit Control Program gets underway.
Wild rabbits are an environmental pest and are prevalent throughout the Shire, causing a major threat to biodiversity and agricultural production. Council uses a non-chemical, non-poison approach by employing a specialist contractor who uses ferreting, netting and warren closure techniques.
The program runs from June to August at bushland reserves across Nillumbik. Reserves are selected based on factors including public usage, protection of biodiversity assets, rabbit numbers and prior investment in rabbit control. Council also selects reserves where it can achieve a coordinated approach with large adjoining areas owned privately or by other public land managers.
The list of reserves to be treated are:
- Mine Road Reserve, Nutfield - complete
- Gumtree Reserve, Research - complete
- Heard Avenue Reserve, Plenty - complete
- Memorial Drive Reserve East, Plenty - complete
- The Chase Reserve, North Warrandyte - complete
- The Eyrie Reserve, Eltham - complete
- Meruka Reserve, Eltham - complete
- Wimbi Reserve, Panton Hill - complete
- Proctor Street, St Andrews - 9 July
- Kalbar Environmental Reserve, Eltham - 10 July
- Quarry Reserve, Eltham - 13 to 15 July
- Swipers Gully Reserve, Research - 13 to 15 July
- Lenister Reserve, Eltham - 20 to 23 July
- Griffith Park, Eltham - 27 to 28 July
- Yirrip Reserve, Panton Hill - 16 to 17 July
Works will continue in August at the following locations:
- Murrays Wetland, Eltham - 3 to 5 August
- Nillumbik Park (Gipson Street Reserve), Diamond Creek - 11 to 12 August
- The Island, Hurstbridge - 18 August
It is illegal to interfere with the operations of any pest control program and fines may be issued.
