Pests are animals causing harm or significant disturbance in areas where they are not wanted. They often have the ability to flourish if left unmanaged in suitable environments. Physical, chemical and biological control options are available to variously cull, inhibit breeding or exclude pests from priority areas. It is rare that a single control measure will be completely successful. Even very effective biological controls require support from additional control measures.

Warren destruction by ripping is used to minimise the impact of the introduced European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on agricultural production and the environment. Other rabbit control methods include poisoning, warren destruction using explosives, warren fumigation, surface harbour removal, shooting, trapping, exclusion fencing and biological control with rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) and myxomatosis.

In many areas of Australia, rabbits depend on warrens for shelter from climatic extremes, predator avoidance and also for successful breeding. Warrens are destroyed using ripping or, in rocky or inaccessible areas, explosives. Since rabbits do not readily dig new warrens, rabbit populations do not persist in areas where warrens are effectively destroyed and re-colonisation is made less likely.

Warrens are destroyed using a tractor or bulldozer fitted with single or multiple-tined rippers. The technique used will vary depending on local conditions such as soil type, position of warrens and type of equipment available. Ripping will be more humane when the number of rabbits in the warren is low and when powerful machinery is used to achieve complete disintegration of the warren, so that the rabbits are killed quickly. Because ripping gives long term management of rabbit populations the need for repeated control operations is reduced.

This National Standard Operating Procedure (NATSOP) is a guide only; it does not replace or override the legislation that applies in the relevant state or territory jurisdiction. The NATSOP should only be used subject to the applicable legal requirements (including OH&S) operating in the relevant jurisdiction.

European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are a serious invasive pest in Australia. Rabbits cause millions of dollars in damage to crops annually and, even at very low numbers, cause major impacts to the natural environment.

Once established in rural areas rabbits can cause extensive damage to crops, pastures and native vegetation and are difficult to control, requiring constant landholder action to manage. Rabbits construct burrows that enable them to survive a wide range of environmental conditions. They adapt to a wide range of food types and their ability to graze plants to ground level contributes to the enormous damage they cause. It is the legal responsibility of the land owner to control rabbits on their property, and penalties can be imposed for failing to do so under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004.

In 1859 when Thomas Austin released 24 wild rabbits on his Geelong property, he could not have foreseen that they would breed so prolifically and spread across the southern parts of the continent. Each year rabbits cause an estimated $600 million worth of damage to agriculture. They also cause serious erosion problems, prevent native vegetation from regenerating, attack domestic gardens and undermine farm sheds and other buildings.

In WA European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are declared pests of agriculture under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 and as such, landholders are required to control rabbits on their properties. Even landholders not growing crops are still legally obliged to control rabbits to protect their neighbours’ land from the impact of rabbits.

The Toowoomba Regional Council is committed to managing invasive plants and animals to protect the local environment and community. Their biosecurity efforts focus on controlling pest species, educating landholders, and ensuring compliance with the Biosecurity Act 2014.​Toowoomba Region

Key Programs and Initiatives

• Pest Animal Control: The Council assists landowners in managing pest animals such as wild dogs, foxes, and feral pigs through a '1080 baiting service' conducted four times a year, with additional support provided as needed. ​Toowoomba Region

• Rabbit Management: Control methods include destroying warrens and burrows, removing potential shelters like log piles, and utilizing biological controls such as calicivirus and myxomatosis to reduce rabbit populations. ​Toowoomba Region

• Weed Control: The Council's Conservation and Pest Management team manages weeds along approximately 11,000 km of road network and conducts inspections across the 13,000 square km region. ​Have Your Say

• Biosecurity Surveillance Program: This program monitors invasive biosecurity matter, promotes best practice management, and provides information to enhance community awareness. ​Toowoomba Region+1Toowoomba Region+1

Landholder Responsibilities

Under local laws, land occupiers are required to keep their properties free from overgrown vegetation and accumulations of materials that could harbor pests. ​

Additional Resources

For more information on pest and weed management, including specific programs and resources, visit the Toowoomba Regional Council's Pests & Weeds (Biosecurity) page.​Toowoomba Region+1

Excellent explanation of life of viruses for control of rabbits