VICTORIA is set to get a new community-led action plan on rabbits, in an initiative launched by the Victorian Government today.
Minister Walsh said the Government recognised rabbits were a major pest that caused significant economic and environmental damage.
He added that the Victorian Rabbit Management Collaboration Initiative recognised coordinated community-led efforts could deliver improved management outcomes.
“To support this approach, the Victorian Government and the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre are providing funding of $300,000 towards the initiative,” Mr Walsh said.
“Community-led rabbit management is already taking place, but the initiative aims to improve the coordination of activities and share expertise to deliver more effective and efficient action.”
The initiative includes a training and mentoring program to develop the next generation of rabbit control experts.
“It also includes a small grants and workshop program that will boost collaboration, coordination, networking and mapping capability in order to help land managers plan their rabbit control activities,” he said.
Other initiative programs will facilitate improvements to warren ripping quality and the flow of funding for community-led action.
Opportunities to support Blackberry Action Groups in Victoria and extend their focus to
rabbit management will also be investigated.
