The Rabbit Sweep 10-year Strategic Thinking - discussion doc
NOTE - this is a document for discussion only
About a Rabbit Sweep 10-year Strategy
AIMS
- To have relevant, up-to-date, free, information accessible to all via an online knowledge resource (see Sweep Catalogue).
- To negotiate a collaborative campaign with organisations of similar interests (including goals, approach, promotions, success metrics etc.).
- To make available useful “packs” of information, equipment, supplies and OH&S info for all landholders.
- To enable interested individuals, neighbourhoods, groups, potential volunteers, organisations, contractors, experts and funders / sponsors to experience first-hand some of the methods available and discuss options relevant to their situation with knowledgeable people (working bee/Demo events).
- To coordinate a 3-month working bee program (blitz) to help neighbourhoods (possibly individual landholders) to engage with the rabbit control campaign.
- To recognise and articulate the different contexts, needs and resources of landholders controlling rabbits. (See 'Assess contexts' page.
- To differenciate strategic action in terms of property size (such as farming and farm-size land vs domestic estate blocks)
- To develop a strategic response to "difficult" neighbours, individuals, as well as public and company landholders.
- To measure success, communicate (celebrate wins), share learnings (what worked and what didn’t and why) and follow-up with participants.
- To promote activities, mobilise landholders and engage the wider community in the campaign e.g. participate in local markets.
- To develop a focussed Landcare entity from consortium of interested organisations and entities
- To redirect money currently spent because of the rabbits to promote the desired flora and fauna on the Bellarine
- To develop a financial model for the campaign, including crowd funding. See https://landcareaustralia.org.au/fund-landcare-a-new-way-for-landcare-groups-to-fundraise/
- To collaborate widely to get an idea of the priorities for other organisations (see e.g. 'what others' think' document).
Table of Contents
- Knowledge base
- 2025 Autumn blitz
- Community media
- Rabbit Sweep volunteers
- Rabbit Sweep contractors
- Resource packs
- Demonstration /working bees
- 'Independant' working bees
- Absent Landholder Strategy
- Rabbit Sweep Facilitator - immediate action
- Brochures & posters design, printing and distribution
- Reporting
- Community communications
Rabbit Sweep 10 year plan (FOR DISCUSSION)
"BRING BACK THE BANDICOOT" - an emotive “hook” to headline a campaign.
Image from Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria.
After some preparatory work and demonstration events, the long-term campaign will start with a 3-month blitz (March, April, May 2025). What will follow is work to engage the broader Bellarine land-holding communities in substantially reducing rabbit populations on the Bellarine. The community will be encouraged as land-holders, sweepers, or in any of many other capacities.
The exact aims, dimensions, methods etc. are to be mutually agreed by a collaborative consortium of interested organisations and entities involved in the Bellarine.
The document recognises the difference between on-ground rabbit control and administratvie/campaign work.
Note that New Zealand aims to be vermin-free by 2050. The Sweep aims to follow suit with respect to rabbits as a first step. It hopes to work collaboratively with NZ neighbours. (See https://www.doc.govt.nz/)
The following tables aim to show what strategies are being pursued. This strategic plan does not impose work on participants but tries to make their existing responsibilities and work easier and more effective. Consistent with this, the Sweep wants all those who are interested and capable of helping, to offer their support and services!
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Theme |
Rationale / Desired Result |
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Activities (broad actions as examples) |
By whom |
By when |
Done? |
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Relevant scientific and experiential evidence on options, effects & consequences collated & rated. Methods assessed for site conditions, costs, practicality & resource availability. Resources available to the Bellarine identified & any rates / conditions negotiated. Ensure up-to-date knowledge base is accessible to all. |
1.1 |
Further develop the online catalogue of info resources (https://Rabbit-Sweep.org/resource-catalogue/) |
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1.2 |
Promote catalogue for sharing and ask others to contribute links to their “method” and research information. |
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1.3 |
Convene workshop including expert panel to assess what works best, when & how and what capabilities (expert & volunteer) are needed. (June 2025?) |
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By whom |
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Scale of rabbit issue summarised simply. Bellarine area divided into practically useful “zones”. Organisations known to have an interest in rabbits identified and engaged. Event, timing, desired end result and organisational participants agreed. Prepare promotional material and distribute it |
2.1 |
Source available information on rabbit extent & density and previous actions esp. on-going costs associated with existence of rabbits |
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2.2 |
Develop a simple summary (map, graphic etc) showing 'hot-spots' and 'good' areas |
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2.3 |
List all relevant organisations / entities on the Bellarine who may have a rabbit control interest. |
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2.4 |
Contact organisations / entities / individuals to attract participants
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2.5 |
Note interest, common values and potential collaboration. |
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| 2.6 | Identify and sign up volunteer leaders - encourage landholders to include neighbours |
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By whom |
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Note this includes volunteering for on-ground tasks and other support tasks. See 'Task Analysis' page. |
3.1 |
Sweep to register with volunteering management sites:
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| 3.2 | Describe and advertise volunteering opportunities | |||||
| 3.3 | Select volunteers, notify them and others, register them for event, etc. | |||||
| 3.4 | Develop volunteer management system - who, when, where, etc | |||||
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Rationale / Desired Result |
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By whom |
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Note this includes contracting for on-ground tasks and other support tasks. See 'Task Analysis' page. |
3.1 |
Sweep to employ casual work that will manage payments, tax, insurance, etc for those requiring payment |
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| 3.2 | Describe and advertise contracting opportunities | |||||
| 3.3 | Select contractors, notify them and others, register them for event, etc. | |||||
| 3.4 | Develop contracting management system - who, when, where, etc | |||||
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Theme |
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Activities (broad actions as examples) |
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Working-bee/demo events where all participants can be hands-on and interact with experts Different events might have different focus - so all typical activities are seen somewhere |
5.1 |
Organise tours to 3 suitable properties to illustrate
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5.2 |
Organise 4 demo/working bee events at 4 different locations (zones) on 4 separate dates to include:
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5.3 |
Develop/find online demos of the methods and equipment used with links in catalogue |
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5.4 |
Recruit blitz volunteers and other resources. |
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5.5 |
Actively enrol people in the main campaign and book neighbourhoods in for independent working bees. |
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Working bee planning “system” developed (rules, requirements, processes etc.). Administration required for Landcare insurance made simple for participants. Up-to-date calendar of events coordinated and published. |
6.1 |
Establish system for landholders organising local events |
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6.2 |
Describe event and identify landholders and volunteers |
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6.3 |
Provide landholders with relevant documentation for OH&S and register event/participants for insurance purposes |
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6.4 |
Have experts check plans before event |
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| 6.5 | Report on event and achievements/failures | |||||
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Council land, company land etc. included in campaign. Suggestions for motivating less interested neighbours / individuals available and role-played.
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7.1 |
Identify & prioritise problem sites e.g., old St Leonards Golf Course, significant company landholdings near RAMSAR sites, Council back roads etc.. |
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7.2 |
Develop a motivational approach for difficult sites. |
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7.3 |
Approach priority Council or company landholders to include them in campaign. |
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Activities (broad actions as examples) |
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7.1 |
Debrief with all participants of all events. |
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7.2 |
Understand and group needs, interests & passions |
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7.3 |
Report learnings |
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Ensure communication is ongoing. Promote positive stories and learning from others promoted. Also include difficulties and reactions
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Collate a mailing list & a list of noticeboard locations. |
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Disseminate newsletters and stories in local news outlets (monthly, more regularly during campaign) and in social media |
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| Correspond with local Members (local, State & Federal) and new candidates. | ||||||
| Assess effectiveness & refine messages. | ||||||
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Partners/sponsors/contractors/volunteers
| City of Greater Geelong | Alex Johnson | p/s | Community engagement | |
| Bellarine Catchment Network | ||||
| Queenscliffe ... | ||||
| Victorian Rabbit Ac tion Network | ||||
| Australian Rabbit Action Coordinator | ||||
| Rabbit Free Australia | ||||
| Bellarine Landcare Group |
...