LANDHOLDERS around the Kerang Lakes are again urged to take part in the Loddon Plains Landcare Network’s (LPLN) one-for-one rabbit baiting program, now in its third year.
As part of the LPLN’s Kerang community rabbit control project, farmers receive an extra bucket of bait for every one purchased.
The poison bait comes in the form of oats or carrots, and is laid out at night under strict guidelines to ensure the bait poses minimal risk to native fauna and pets.
Fairley farmer Glenice Ficken said the baiting was well worth doing.
“Our farm would be overrun with bunnies if we didn’t do it every year,” she said.
“They explode in number so quickly, it just breaks your heart to see the destruction they can cause.
“If we all come on board and work together, we will have a real impact.”
The program is supported by the North Central Catchment Management Authority, coinciding with the region’s Rabbit Buster month campaign held every February, when landholders and communities are encouraged to revisit their control plans and undertake their management programs. The program relies heavily on in-kind support from LPLN member group Fairley Bael Bael Sandhill Lake Landcare and also works with others, including Lake Charm and Kerang Landcare groups.
LPLN project manager Danny Pettingill said the program targeted properties abutting the Kerang Wetlands RAMSAR sites, with the community program running in collaboration with public land works including baiting, fumigation and collapsing warrens undertaken by North Central CMA, local Traditional Owners, Parks Victoria, and local contractors on behalf of council.
“By working together towards a common goal and engaging with community, land holders and public land managers, this program provides the most effective sustained control effort to reduce rabbit populations,” Mr Pettingill said.
Last year, 29 landholders took part.
“So far we have enough landholders engaged to directly treat more than 2000 hectares by laying more than 100km of bait,” he said.
“So we’re well on track to matching previous years and I urge anyone in the area interested to take up this program to put their orders in as soon as possible.”
The deadline for orders is 5pm on February 11.
Contact the LPLN on 0407 339 915 to place an order, or email goanna@lpln.org.
