At their Tuesday meeting, Council received and noted the Rabbit Response Alliance Pest Management Plan 2025- 2030, and they were also recommended to endorse entering the Rabbit Response Alliance Pest Management Plan 2025-2030 and allocation of relevant resources.
Council is well aware of the concerns around the rabbit populations within Junee Shire Council, with previous funding allocations being allocated to address the issue. This comes after the rabbit outbreak at the Cemetery has caused several issues in the community.
Council has also been presented with the costs of a Council-wide rabbit management program, which are significant and prohibitive.
The Rabbit Response Alliance Pest Management Plan 2025-2030 (RRA) has been developed by the Local Land Services in collaboration with staff in a 214,908-hectare area across the Temora, Junee, Coolamon and Marrar regions.
The document is a multi-agency plan to reduce the environmental, economic and social impacts of wild rabbits across this region. The RRA is a mechanism to facilitate collaborative and controlled rabbit management completed holistically by all stakeholders.
This is required due to the impacts wild rabbits are having, including the three key issues:
• Economic: Crop losses up to $44,000/km due to grazing; competition with livestock.
• Environmental: Threat to over 300 native species; erosion and vegetation loss.
• Social: Damage to community spaces; mental stress for landholders.
The RRA proposes timely management of rabbits through collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, including a four-stage approach:
Stage 1 Primary: 1080 baiting in safe areas. Pindone baiting in urban areas.
Stage 2 Primary: Warren destruction and other harbour removal methods.
Stage 3 Supplementary: Fumigation, shooting and exclusion fencing.
Stage 4 Biological: RHDV strains (limited effectiveness due to resistance).
The Goals and Objectives of the RRA include the following:
1. Increase participation: 10% annual growth in landholder involvement.
2. Reduce crop loss: Through coordinated baiting and monitoring.
3. Build capacity: Training, equipment access, and contractor support.
Council has been identified as one of the key stakeholders in this process.
Other stakeholders include:
• Local Land Services: Lead coordination, training, and bait supply.
• Private Landholders: Join programs, report impacts, and allow contractor access.
• Public Land Managers: NPWS and Crown Lands to align efforts with neighbours.
Council has received a formal request from Local Land Services to Junee Shire Council to join the Rabbit Response Alliance and commit resources to coordinated rabbit control.
Council attended aninitial briefing session at Old Junee, alongside Local Land Services, on 27 August, to provide information on the RRA to the community. Council said this does not disregard other relevant legislation around the protection of native vegetation, species and cultural heritage elements.
Part 5 assessments, under the EPA Act 1979, will still be required to be undertaken for relevant works. Council were recommended to endorse entering the Rabbit Response Alliance Pest Management Plan 2025-2030 (RRA) that has been developed by the Local Land Services in collaboration with staff in a 214,908-hectare area across the Temora, Junee, Coolamon and Marrar regions. The document is a multi-agency plan to reduce the environmental, economic and social impacts of wild rabbits across this region, and Council said they should contribute operational resources as allocated by management.
– Jack Murray
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