Rabbits

Wild or European Rabbits are an introduced species to Australia and now inhabit more than three-quarters of New South Wales.

Rabbits prefer to live in areas with rural pastures but are highly adaptive, establishing populations in coastal plains, woodlands and urban areas.

Their adaptability and ability to reproduce quickly in large numbers means they can rapidly repopulate areas after pest control activities.

Their impact on our local environment

Rabbits are one of Australia’s most destructive pest animals. Grazing and burrowing cause massive erosion problems and affect native plants’ ability to survive.

Rabbits’ behaviours can also alter entire landscapes, damage historic and cultural sites, damage private and public infrastructure, displace small animals from burrows and attract other introduced species such as foxes and feral cats, which can then prey on native animals.

Rabbits have contributed to the decline or disappearance of several NSW native species such as the Greater Bilby and Yellow-Footed Rock-Wallaby.

Their competing and overgrazing nature impacts substantially on the environment and as a result rabbits are listed as a key threatening process under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

What we are doing

Council in collaboration with North Coast Local Land Services has developed a Plan of Management for controlling high rabbit populations in the urban areas of Crescent Head. The plan aims to protect community infrastructure, minimise risk and control rabbits humanely without affecting native flora, fauna and domestic animals.

Kempsey Airport rabbit population

North Coast Local Land Services are assisting Council to control rabbit numbers at Kempsey Airport. Pindone baits are scheduled to be laid within the airport for seven days between 1 and 7 May 2023, weather permitting.

Before the Pindone baits are laid, signage outlining the target animal and date of poison application will be placed in high visibility areas when entering Kempsey Airport. These notices will remain up for at least four weeks.

An authorised Council employee, under the guidance of the NSW Local Land Services, will be place the Pindone-laced carrots at several feeding stations in the landside area of Kempsey Airport. During this period, domestic animals must be maintained on a lead or be restricted from entering the airport's grounds . The Pindone will only be effective if a rabbit has had three feeds or doses within seven days.

Crescent Head rabbit population

With guidance from North Coast Local Land Services’ North Coast Regional Strategic Pest Animal Management Plan, Council is working with licensed pest control workers to carry out measures to bring the rabbit population in Crescent Head to a manageable level.

The Plan of Management consist of staged rounds of control, including:

Trapping

Cage traps will be set to capture as many rabbits as possible before they are humanly euthanised. These traps will be regularly checked to ensure the rabbits do not suffer from exposure or dehydration and to check native animals do not become trapped.
Biological control

Releasing the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV1) K5 strain is considered one of the more humane methods of controlling wild rabbits. The virus is spread by insect vectors such as mosquitoes.

This virus works on adult rabbits and is less effective against young rabbits.

Owners of pet rabbits are asked to ensure their rabbits are vaccinated against this virus. Rabbits can be vaccinated at 10 to 12 weeks of age and should be given an annual booster. Find out more at Minimising RHDV infection in domestic rabbits, or visit your vet to organise a vaccination.

There is no evidence that this virus causes infection in other species of native and domestic animals.
Baiting (follow-up control)

The last method of control used will be baiting with Pindone. Bait stations will be set up with restricted access so non-target animals can’t consume the poison. Baiting sites will be signposted and residents are asked to keep children and pets away while baiting occurs.

What you can do

As a landholder or domestic rabbit owner

Landholders are required to control rabbit populations on their land. There are many methods and resources available to assist with this such as:

primary and secondary pest animal control, including biological control, baiting and warren destruction
keeping your pet rabbits in a secure hutch and euthanising unwanted pet rabbits.