Rabbit Sweep Cluster News

Hooray for our new facilitator! Sadly, we lost Vicki but we now have Bec to welcome in new clusters and help provide what cluster members can use to control their rabbits. In her own words:

Bec has lived on the Bellarine Peninsula for over 20 years, and has seen first-hand the impacts rabbits have on our local environment. She holds a Bachelor of Zoology and Animal Science and is completing her Master of Conservation Science. Her passion is in threatened species management, particularly macropods, which is reflected in her current thesis. She has volunteered with a range of environmental organisations, participating in community engagement and remote fieldwork. Bec also has professional experience in administration and organisational roles. She is excited about the Rabbit Sweep program, and looks forward to assisting in its continued success.

Welcome Bec!

Contents

• Clusters and locations
• General news
• Forthcoming events

Clusters & locations

We are back on track setting up clusters and supporting their members. Clusters are formed when a small number (3 - 6) of neighbours decide to work collaboratively on rabbit control. Everyone has a different problem, it seems, but as they are responsible for controlling their rabbits, we find working together is the magic trick.

Participants in the program must complete the registration (see https://www.rabbit-sweep.org/rabbit-sweep-2025-2027/cluster-application) and might convince their neighbours to do likewise so a cluster is easily recognised. Otherwise, they might like to drop a cluster invitation (see below) into their neighbour's letter-box. Either way, Bec will help them form the group and arrange an initial meeting for all to meet other members of their cluster and think about how they might work together. A single person to act as contact for the cluster will be essential.

We are developing a brochure that members can drop in their neighbour's letter-box if they wish to start anonymously that way. Let us know if you would like some brochures to distribute.

At an initial meeting, Rabbit Sweep's expert David Lucas will take meeting participants around the host's property drawing attention to its features from a rabbit's perspective and advise on a course of action. No land holder has to do what is suggested but most take advantage of an offer to do a frree site visit and assessment on their property. This is available to all members.

Rabbit Sweep will follow the site visits with invitations to short focussed sessions (currently held on Saturday mornings). These sessions will be open to members of any cluster and take advantage of the local expertise that complements the important 'instructions on the label'. Rabbit Sweep will not do the work but will help make connections with other members, volunteers, experts and contractors.

General news

Are you counting the right thing?

The animals at the Weribee Zoo have met with the grass cutters in a special project. By working on rabbit control, using integrated methods, it has come about that the grass on the zoo's 'prairie' has grown so long it needs to be mowed, and why? because there are not enough rabbits to keep it in its previous 'park' state!

Tim Bloomfield tells us that counting dead rabbits and, on the other hand, remaining live rabbits, is not as efficacious as checking what damage is being done by rabbits. Using the Australian Wool Industry format, you can easily 'index' your property for future comparisons. See https://www.rabbit-sweep.org/rabbit-sweep-2025-2027/on-going-work/awi-index

Forthcoming events

We are preparing two events in coming weeks. On Saturday morning at 10.00 am for about an hour, you will be welcome to join either or both of the sessions. We would like your participation whether you are a land holder, an expert, a contractor, or a learner - like most of us.

Saturday September 26 - what can be done and how about rabbits under buildings, sheds, piles of rubbish, etc.

Saturday October 3 - what is there to know about using bait efficiently and easily.

If you are interested in either event, please let us know and we will send you details of where to meet. Send a message to

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