BELLARINE Landcare recently secured about $5000 from the Victorian Rabbit Action Network, to help rid the Peninsula of its furry pests.
Rabbits cause more than $206 million in damage to Australia agriculture each year and for the Bellarine farming community, the impact is fierce.
Local farmer Graeme Brown said the problem was worse than ever.
“In all my years of farming on the Bellarine, I have never seen rabbits as bad as they are this summer,” he said.
“This is having a detrimental effect on agricultural production in the region.”
Bellarine Landcare facilitator Emma Camilleri said the number of rabbits in the Bellarine Peninsula had been a concern for years.
“Many have tried and failed to rid the Peninsula of these pesky European invaders,” she said.
“But now, with a new community led working group, we are hoping to tackle our furry friends head on.”
Bellarine Landcare has formed a Rabbit Action – Bellarine group to rid the Bellarine of rabbits and is identifying “cluster leaders” in the Peninsula’s “hotspots”.
The project is funded until June, and Bellarine Landcare hopes to secure further ongoing funding after this date.
“The group’s project is simple – to increase engagement in pest animal issues, while developing the community’s sense of ownership for their patch,” Emma said.
“Our working group will support each cluster leader, in providing technical and practical advice and support in engaging with their neighbouring properties.”
For further information on the Bellarine Landcare Groups campaign, contact Emma on 0413 768 819 or email emma@bellarinelandcare.org.au
