Rabbit control
Feral rabbits are biosecurity matter under the Biosecurity Act 2015. All land holders in NSW must control biosecurity matter on their properties. If rabbits are on:
- private property over 10 ha, phone Local Land Services on 02 6492 1285
- private property under 10ha, phone Council’s Invasive Species Supervisor on 02 4474 1269
- Council land, phone Council’s Invasive Species Supervisor on 02 4474 1269.
Controlling rabbits in urban areas can be difficult. We usually carry out a primary knockdown every three years with calicivirus (RHD) or use pindone baiting. We then do follow-up control using the shooting method.
Trapping is a useful method for very small rabbit populations or isolated individuals or pairs.
Council is not responsible for rabbit control on private property. We prioritise rabbit control work based on monitoring and protecting important, threatened and endangered species.
Local control methods
The type of local control methods we use vary and depend on:
- the area we're planning to carry out the control method
- when we carry out the control method
- the number of people living in the area
- the size of the rabbit population in some areas.
Stages of control
We carry out the control methods in four stages:
- 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.
We will not use the pindone baiting method in areas that have important, threatened or endangered species. These species include: brush-tailed phascogale, white-footed dunnart, smoky mouse, long-nosed potoroo, powerful, sooty and masked owls, spotted-tailed quoll, and the lace monitor.
Rabbit control schedule
- Where: South Durras to Moruya
- Primary control method: warren fumigation/pindone/calicivirus
- Secondary control method: pindone baiting/shoot
- Follow-up control method: shoot
- Where: Moruya to Bodalla
- Primary control method: warren fumigation/pindone/calicivirus
- Secondary control method: pindone baiting/shoot
- Follow-up control method: shoot
- Where: Bodalla to Akolele
- Primary control method: warren fumigation/pindone/calicivirus
- Secondary control method: pindone baiting/shoot
- Follow-up control method: shoot
Things you should know
- Our work schedule is subject to a limited budget.
- We may carry out other works outside of our schedule when the resources are available.
- Our invasive species team can provide advice and help with group RHD and pindone baiting programs.
We can help you
If you need more information about rabbit control, contact our Invasive Species Supervisor, Paul Martin:
- T: 4474 1269
- E: Invasive Species Supervisor