Bellarine Rabbit Sweep News

Rabbit Sweep Newsletter April 2026

The Rabbit Sweep is a Bellarine Landcare Entity. This news is for all people who are keen to control the rabbits that, so far, seem to be winning the environment of the Bellarine and for people in organisations that can help us. Many organisations do not specialise in the control of rabbits but their members are so engaged and we will be happy to work with them.

Stop press: we are looking for volunteers for a few hours of fun on April 26. See below.

We have four topics for this newsletter:

1. PAP grant and Rabbit Sweep clusters
2. Participation in a cluster
3. CoGG Grant and restoration of indigenous species
4. How to support our work

 PAP grant and the Rabbit Sweep project

We are working on the Rabbit Sweep project funded by Agriculture Victoria and supported by volunteers. Bellarine land managers are encouraged to form teams to help and support each other in their rabbit control work. The details of the project are available online at

https://www.rabbit-sweep.org/rabbit-sweep-2025-2027

We are 'up and running'! We have a few clusters already meeting neighbours, including some they have not met before, sharing their tales of woe with respect to rabbits, and offering to help each other.

While we are not funded to do on-ground work but we aim to make it easier and cheaper. Some actions just need a little nudge to get going, like checking the gates are shut to support the hitherto 'not rabbit proof' fencing. Helping someone else is the best way to get help and many tasks can be done easily once you get going.

Anyone interested in participating in this work can visit the website and sign up: https://Rabbit-Sweep.org

We are grateful to be supported by an Agriculture Victoria Partnerships against Pests grant:

CoGG Grant and restoration of indigenous fauna

Rabbit control can be hard work and requires determination and it demands expertise. It touches ethical and welfare issues, scientific considerations, practical logistics, and more. To help explain what is involved and what might be achieved, the Rabbit Sweep has received a grant from the City of Greater Geelong to help promote returning the environment to its best natural state. This means cleaning out invasive flora and fauna, of course.

Recently there was a talk at a recent BLG meeting which is reported and available online:

see https://www.rabbit-sweep.org/bandicoots/2050-rabbits-gone-bandicoots-back

There will be a free Bandicoot Treasure Hunt and Pantomime at the Ocean Grove Reserve on April 26.

See the flyer and register to participate at: https://Rabbit-Sweep.org/images/Bandicoot_flyer_final_inst_v3.png

Even better, volunteer to help us on the day - contact

On May 2 there will be a picnic and visit to Mt Rothwell to learn about indigenous fauna after dark (participation is limited and there will be a charge). We are keen to learn about the possible future we might aim for in regenrating the past.

This work is sponsored by a City of Greater Geelong grant:

How to support our work

As always, Landcare depends upon grants and volunteers of time and money. The Rabbit Sweep would love to hear from you if you can help us with funds, perhaps organising a corporate day, volunteers, or anything else.

Please feel free to email us or call us:  or ph 0494 569 999

Unsubscribe