Working together to manage rabbits across the region

Rabbits are a recognised pest across Australia.

They damage gardens, crops and native bushland, and can undermine buildings, sheds, and other infrastructure. They also compete with native fauna for food and habitat.

The Shire is taking action

In the coming weeks, we’ll begin our rabbit control program across selected Shire managed reserves. This program uses Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), a biological control agent that’s safe for pets, people and native animals.

We do not use poisons like Pindone, which can harm wildlife such as kangaroos, and bandicoots, and can also harm domestic pets and birds of prey through secondary poisoning.

Control happens twice a year, generally in Autumn and Spring, using bait stations with carrots and oats. Timing is highly dependent on seasonal factors and rabbit breeding cycles. 
We work with licensed pest control technicians to make sure the rollout is effective and well-planned. Due to the wet winter in 2025, timing for release of the virus is slightly later than in previous years.

Where and when?

Targeted areas include reserves near Gracetown, Cowaramup, Margaret River, Witchcliffe, Augusta, Molloy Island and Karridale. The rollout will occur over the next few weeks, timed for maximum effectiveness.

What you can do at home

If rabbits are active around your property, there are a few things you can do to help reduce numbers:
 

• Remove piles of wood, rocks or building materials that provide shelter, particularly if they are stacked up against buildings or sheds. 
• Use rabbit-proof fencing around garden areas
• Report sightings via the FeralScan App

The best outcomes are often achieved when property owners and land managers all take action on their own properties. If you are planning to control rabbits on your property, here are some tips to consider:
 

• Talking to your neighbours about coordinating rabbit control in your area may be a way of sharing costs and increasing the chances of success 
• There are a number of different methods available for controlling rabbits, suited to different scenarios. Often an integrated approach using multiple methods will achieve the best outcomes.
• Consider alternatives to poisons like Pindone, which can be harmful to wildlife.
• You can seek advice from DPIRD or a qualified pest controller on available control methods that are suitable for your property.

Information on control options is available on DPIRD’s website or by contacting them directly on (08) 9368 3080 or [email protected]. 

Why community action matters

The Shire can only undertake rabbit control on Shire-managed reserves. As rabbits are widespread throughout the South West, the best results come when landholders and land managers also take action on their own properties.

Some rural-residential areas have already formed local groups to coordinate rabbit control at the same time, which is a fantastic initiative. “If you let us know when your group is planning rabbit control, we’ll look at how we can assist by planning control on nearby Shire managed reserves.”

If you have domestic rabbits, chat with your vet about RHDV vaccination.

We’ll be doing our part in the coming weeks and will share more details closer to the time. In the meantime, your efforts at home really do help, especially when neighbours get on board too.