NILLUMBIK: Rabbit control program underway
Residents are being asked to keep dogs on leashes and adhere to detour signage at local reserves as Nillumbik 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.
Nillumbik 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 Rd Reserve, Nutfield – complete
• Gumtree Reserve, Research – complete
• Heard Ave Reserve, Plenty – complete
• Browns Lane Reserve, Plenty – complete
• Bulwidj Reserve, Plenty – complete
• Bunjil 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
• Scenic Crescent Reserve, Eltham North – complete
• Dry Creek Drainage Reserve (Rotin Court), Plenty – complete
• Proctor St Reserve, St Andrews – complete
• Kalbar Environmental Reserve, Eltham – July 10
• Eastern Etham Copper Butterfly Reserve, Eltham – July 10
• Quarry Reserve, Eltham – July 13-15
• Swipers Gully Reserve, Research – July 13-15
• Yirrip Reserve, Panton Hill – July 16-17
• Lenister Reserve, Eltham – July 20-23
• Eltham Lower Park, Eltham – July 20-23
• Griffith Park, Eltham – July 27-28
• Eltham North Reserve (Laurel Hill Drive), Eltham North – July 29-31
• Yirrip Reserve, Panton Hill – July 16-17
• Griffith Park, Eltham – July 27-28
Works will continue in August at the following locations:
• Murrays Wetland, Eltham – August 3-5
• Challenger St Reserve, Diamond Creek – August 6-10
• Nillumbik Park (Gipson St Reserve), Diamond Creek – August 11-12
• Dianella Drive Reserve (Rangeview Rd), Diamond Creek – August 13
• Ben Frilay Reserve (Riparian Area), Hurstbridge – August 17
• The Island, Hurstbridge – August 18
• Arthurs Creek Rd Reserve, Hurstbridge – August 19
• Christian Rd Reserve (South), Cottles Bridge – August 20-21
• Fergusons Paddock, Hurstbridge – August 26-28
It is illegal to interfere with the operations of any pest control program and fines may be issued.