Bellarine Rabbit Sweep News

June 2026 Cluster News

Content

• Winter tasks
• Cluster update
• Recent events
• Forthcoming events

Winter tasks

We have suggested that everyone will probably need a mud map for discussing and planning activities with neighbours. How make a map is clear from the instructions at https://www.rabbit-sweep.org/rabbit-sweep-2025-2027/cluster-info/making-a-mud-map 

What needs to be done over winter?

We have as a priority checking fences and removing harbour that can soon enough become habitat. We may be able to arrange a quick walk about on a property with lots of different kinds of fencing, little of which is rabbit proof. If you'd be interested, let us know. We will aim to help you scope and assess what you may need to do on your property.

By the way, baiting is best done when this work is complete and rabbits are about at the end of summer when there are not baby rabbits to be abandoned in the warrens. (See image below.)

Cluster Update

Our clusters are spreading - some are even splitting into 2. We think about 5 people is enough in any one cluster and they can share with another cluster when appropriate.

Clusters are formed around cluster applications from neighbourhood groups - if you know people who would like to join us, please ask them to fill in the application form at https://www.rabbit-sweep.org/rabbit-sweep-2025-2027/cluster-application 

We are using the Rabbit Sweep website as the repository for all our information and communications so it is growing very large. Not all contents are final - some are in-development! To make it easier, we now have a Table of Contents that point to things you might like to see - go to Website Table of Contents

Recent event

On May 30 we held a fumighation demo with members of various clusters invited.

It was fun as people met new neighbours and others from other clusters.

There were several warrens that had been previosly identified and participants were shown how to identify warrens as opposed to temporary safe-spaces; how to smoke out all the entrances to the warrens and block some, and then how to prepare to use the fumigant. As at most demos, 'Coolmints' substituted for the real thing! Finally, people were shown what to do to discourage future re-opening of the still existant warren. 

As many know, using fumigant is controlled by having an Animal Chemical User Permit (ACUP) but there are a number of us who have them and we can execute that step for you.

Fumigation is high on the animal welfare list - it acts quickly and rabbits die under the ground.

If you would like help, please contact us at

Forthcoming events

Demonstration events

We think it might be helpful to have a 'preparing for baiting' event. It is not really worthwhile baiting unless things like harbour, fences, wood piles, etc have been dealt with, but baiting is usually most effective in autumn so now is the time to do the preparatory work. This is not to say baiting can't be useful any time. 

Baiting is done with Pindone and there are detailed instructions on the packet (worth following) but there are tips snd tricks experience offers.

The free Rabbit Sweep Treasure Hunt and Pageant are offered as family fun combined with education.

They will be at the Point Richards Nature Reserve in Port Arlington on July 19, 11.00 am to 2.00 pm. The event is supported by a City of Greater Geelong grant. A big team of volunteers will make it happen!

There will be:

• a Treasure Hunt taking people along the paths of the Reserve, looking, learning and gathering bits with which to make a diarama to take home;
• a sausage sizzle to complement people's picnics, and
• a Pageant involving a number of indigenous animals getting together with the participants.

All will be welcome but should register if wanting to come: see https://www.rabbit-sweep.org/pageant-hunt

Wednesday August 12, 2026
Special BLG meeting with National Rabbit Action co-ordinator Heidi Kleinert

7.00 pm, Marcus Hill Hall - all welcome.

Heidi is the first national coordinator of rabbit action and has considerable experience to share with the Bellarine Community. Formerly working with the Victorian Rabbit Action Network, and living in Vicotria, Heidi is, among other things, a great asset for us as Rabbit Sweep works with clusters of landholders to make a real difference on the peninsula.

We will be discussiing the Rabbit-Sweep strategies for work locally. See more about this work at: https://Rabbit-Sweep.org/

Please join us and if you have special questions you would like Heidi to address, send us a note in advance please:

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