In the City of Casey, Councillor Michelle Crowther has raised concerns about an escalating rabbit infestation impacting gardens, parks, sports fields, and native vegetation, leading to increased soil erosion. Crowther believes that the rabbit issue has reached a point beyond the council’s management capacity. To combat this, she has proposed a motion for the council to create a pest animal control program. This plan would include estimating costs and seeking financial assistance from state and federal government sources. Crowther pointed out that conditions in eastern Australia have favored rabbit breeding recently, resulting in exponential population growth, which complicates mitigating efforts.
Ecologist Richard Francis, an expert in feral animal management, has tried to control the rabbit population in the Cranbourne area through methods like fumigation and controlled shooting. However, he stressed that baiting is impractical in populated regions with children and pets. While fencing could help contain the rabbits, it presents its own challenges, including high costs and negative impacts on wildlife due to the proliferation of barriers in natural landscapes. Francis highlights that rabbits are not a new issue in Cranbourne; they have existed in the local ecosystem for years, but urban expansion has made their presence more apparent and pushed them into rural areas.
Tony Bellinvia, who has farmed in Cranbourne for over 30 years, recounts how the rabbit population has spiked in the last five years, aggravated by ongoing development. As new residential estates encroach on the habitat, rabbits are forced into his market garden, threatening his crops of spring onions, carrots, and lettuce. He reports significant financial losses, with the potential closure of his business looming because of the sheer volume of damage caused by the rabbits. This situation underscores the economic implications of the rabbit issue, particularly for small-scale farmers.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne has also felt the adverse effects of rising rabbit numbers. Executive Director Tim Sansom noted that, while they have successfully kept rabbits out of the main garden, populations have surged in the conservation zone and surrounding areas over the past three years. This trend poses a significant threat to both cultivated and native plants, which are crucial for maintaining the area’s ecological balance.
In response to the widespread concern surrounding the rabbit problem, a Casey-wide pest management strategy is in development. This strategy aims to outline a comprehensive action plan that includes data collection, community engagement, and educational initiatives. The council is currently employing various methods for rabbit control, such as warren destruction, fumigation, and biological management, with a focus on regions of environmental significance, including bushland reserves and the coastal areas of Western Port.
The rabbit issue in the City of Casey exemplifies a complex ecological challenge that intertwines community involvement, environmental stewardship, and agricultural sustainability. Collaborative efforts between the council, state government, community organizations, and private landowners will be critical in addressing this crisis. Through a united front, there is potential for creating effective strategies that balance the needs of the local ecology with those of the community and the economy.
