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 throughout June and July at priority 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 program commences at Yirrip Reserve in Panton Hill on Thursday 8 June, followed by Eltham Lower Park on Tuesday 13 June, and Eastern Eltham Copper Butterfly Reserve on Friday 16 June.
The full list of reserves to be treated is as follows:
- Ben Frilay Reserve, Monday 10 July - Friday 14 July
- Bulwidj Reserve, Thursday 20 July - Friday 21 July
- Bunjil Reserve, Monday 24 July - Wednesday 26 July
- Challenger Street Reserve, Friday 30 June - Tuesday 4 July
- Eastern Etham Copper Butterfly Reserve, Friday 16 June - Friday 16 June
- Eltham Lower Park, Tuesday 13 June - Thursday 15 June
- Eltham North Reserve (Laurel Hill Drive), Tuesday 20 June - Thursday 22 June
- Gawa Reserve, Thursday 27 July - Friday 28 July
- Kalbar Environmental Reserve, Monday 19 June - Monday 19 June
- Murrays Wetland, Monday 26 June - Thursday 29 June
- Nillumbik Park (Gipson Street Reserve), Wednesday 5 July - Friday 7 July
- Proctor Street Reserve, Monday 17 July - Wednesday 19 July
- Yirrip Reserve, Thursday 8 June - Friday 9 June
It is illegal to interfere with the operations of any pest control program and fines may be issued.
