Project description

For decades, rabbits have dominated the Bellarine environment to the detriment of the indigenous fauna and the flora. Their damage is visible everywhere. Tens of thousands of dollars are annually wasted on rabbit control. This crisis situation calls for a new approach to rabbit abatement. This project is based on a belief that a whole-of-peninsula strategy is needed.

Self-propagation in rabbit exclusion zones has reinvigorated the flora and thus fauna of the Peninsula. This project will inform the control of rabbits to further this but requires the community to support the initiative, so there will also be research to determine factors for later use in a wide-ranging education activity. The two aspects will bring together, in a collaborative design process, experts from across Victoria to develop a new strategy to inform future disciplined field work.

Bellarine residents suggest thinking of their peninsula as an island, learning from numerous successful ‘whole of island’ pest eradication examples. They will identify proven regional strategies, including setting a ‘rabbit-proof’ boundary to the Peninsula. They will also identify the attitudes of the community with respect to rabbit abatement and relevant responsibilities. Whether associated because of birds or grasses, agriculture or tourism, everyone needs to play a part in maintaining the health of the environment for the sake of the Bellarine.

This, therefore, is a capacity-building project to operate with a wide-ranging network of expertise, to develop a new engagement strategy, to be implemented locally starting in 2024-5, and wherever in the future.