Rabbit management policy approved

THE Surf Coast Shire will not make any changes to its Rabbit Management Policy, following a review that found mostly positive responses to the 12-month trial.

The policy was developed following a petition submitted to the council in early 2016 that called on the shire to improve rabbit control in the Thompson and Freshwater Creek areas.

The shire developed the policy over the following months and officially adopted it on a trial basis in September 2016.

According to the report presented to councillors at their October meeting, the shire’s 2016/17 rabbit management program was the largest ever.

The works program included release of the K5 calicivirus biological control at two sites and development of six new rabbit management plans for hotspot sites in consultation with key stakeholders and independent expert advice.

Stakeholders were invited earlier this year to provide feedback, and a large majority (86 per cent) were satisfied with the council’s rabbit management.

An equally large majority have observed improvement in the council’s rabbit management since the policy was adopted.

About $30,000 was set aside for baiting in 2016/17 but, on the advice of independent expert Tim Bloomfield, baiting was either not required or not appropriate for key sites.

However, cultural heritage continues to be a significant constraint on warren removal options for the council and other land managers, and the shire is working with the Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation to find a solution.

At the October meeting, councillors resolved that no changes were needed to the policy, and that the next review would take place in two years.

Cr Heather Wellington said there had been some fantastic work done at hotspots such as Pettavel Road, Freshwater Creek and near the Barwon Valley Pony Club.

“There’s been a lot of work done with neighbouring land owners, which has been about getting a collaborative approach so we’re just not re-infecting each other – council-owned land into private land, and vice versa.”