Rabbit populations along some of Sunbury and Bulla’s most vulnerable creeks and rivers have been reduced by up to 90 per cent as part of a major Hume council campaign.
Baiting and warren fumigation carried out at eight reserves in March and April was followed by more treatments in June, after which counts revealed a massive decline in rabbit numbers.
Sites targeted included The Nook, The Glade, and the Emu Valley and Spavin West Drainage reserves.
The highest numbers were found at Emu Bottom Wetlands and Mount Holden Reserve, while the fewest were at Bulla cemetery.
A total of 183 rabbits were identified across the eight areas before work began. About 190 warrens were treated as part of the campaign.
Council sustainability director Kelvin Walsh said the results were ‘‘fantastic’’.
He said teams would continue to monitor the sites and undertake more treatments if more rabbits are found.
‘‘Council is keen to minimise rabbit numbers because they damage our reserves and gardens,’’ Mr Walsh said. ‘‘Rabbits burrow into the banks of creeks and cause soil to erode after heavy rain.’’
Community leaders, farming industry representatives and state government specialists will share knowledge about Australia’s most destructive pest at a conference in Melbourne this Friday.
