2025 Blitz Schedule

Subject: Rabbit Sweep Event – Event Details and Schedule

For all Rabbit Sweep Blitz 2025 participants!

Thank you for your interest in our free Bellarine Landcare Rabbit Sweep event! We’re hoping to make this a fun and informative day.

Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your experience!

This is a self-drive event featuring three unique locations. Join us for the whole morning or simply stop by at the spot that suits you best!

Note: 12.00 PM - 2.00 PM - everyone is invited to our sausage sizzle (or BYO picnic lunch) at Swan Bay Jetty Picnic Area, Swan Bay Road, Swan Bay.

Bring your own picnic rug or folding chair. We’ll have face-painting, and other activities to keep the kids entertained while you connect with others.

Location 1: General information / introduction to rabbit control / lunch VENUE

Topic:

How do I determine the nature of my problem

What I will need to do? fencing, fuffing, mapping, planning, RabbitScan, spotlighting - like a market - kid friendly

How much is all of this going to cost me?

How many years do I have to work on this?

Who can help me? Contractors? Volunteers?

Assistance for peri-urban properties.

Rabbit proof fencing

Public Land (COGG) v Private Land

Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM followed by lunch & chat 12:00PM - 2:00PM.
Address: Picnic Area, Swan Bay Jetty, Swan Bay Road, Mannerim

Toilets: On Site

People:

location coordinator - Vicki / Sophie
registrations - Diana Primrose
performers - Andrew Wilkens (fencing), Bob Beveridge lunchtime)?, Alex (CoGG) demonstrate, Sophie (BLG) Sophie, Aureli (face painting midday-2pm), Stephen Tuohy (Parks Vic Ranger) to drop in, Terry Cleland (not attending but have some of his stuff), Fiona Conroy (lunch)- ask to bring bait layer to lunch, Peter Wright to bring the little ripper.

Set Up ( do this for Location 2 and 3):

Acknowledement of Country - in writing
Wire stakes / set up photos on pegs and string.
Maps - COGG and
Tables and flags/tents
Directional Signage
Registration Form
Landcare
Lanyards around neck - cardboard,hat elastic, talk to me about ...
Hand out piece of paper -join us for lunch at , come and talk to various experts and have lunch.
Hazard tape - mud .Coastline - need to be careful. Dont fall in mud

Plenty of parking available but no dogs please.

Kick off the day or start your rabbit assessment activity with family-friendly interactive displays. It’s a great opportunity to gather insights make some plans, ask questions and meet locals!

Using rabbit-proof fencing can make a significant difference in rabbit control so this will be an activity at this location. Chat with experts to learn all about identifying rabbit habitats and effective control measures.

Sausage Sizzle or BYO Picnic. - Jono to do sausages.

Richard Weatherly, Fiona Conroy and David Sharp - bring chair and hat.

LOCATION 2: BAITING & FUMIGATING

Topics:

baiting rabbits on small and large holdings

traps, hand-spreading, bait-layer

Pindone and next gen?

1080 & foxes - Rencon Air Land

cultural heritage??? public land? - kid friendly

mapping warrens - kid friendly

effectively fumigating warrens - do after kids leave.

Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Address: Sally Watson, 344 Knights Road, Mannerim.

Parking available but no dogs please. Fiona Conroy - bait layer pulls behind car? Terry Cleland - got the traps or at Swan Bay?
(5 min drive to LUNCH, Swan Bay Jetty Picnic Area)

Topic: On-going discussions

BAITING How can I use Pindone bait in oats or carrots? Pindone will not kill other animals if used properly - and will not kill any predators of poisoned rabbits.

This is a family-friendly activity (no rabbits involved).

It is important to know Pindone is useful for small and large landholdings and it is safe when the simple instructions are observed. At this location, you can chat with Pindone experts and learn how, when, where and what it costs to use Pindone.

Find out about 1080 to control foxes and feral cats.

FUMIGATING At this location, experts with appropriate certification will demonstrate the process of fumigation of warrens. Participants are warned this is about a technique used once all entrances to a warren are clearly mapped. Again, no rabbits will be encountered but it is not really a child-inclusive activity. Fumigation can only be done by a certified person or under their supervision. There are precautions to be observed and important instructions to follow when using fumigant.

People:

location coordinator - David Lucas / Liddy Nevile
admin person - Clara Oakley
performers - Rencon Air Land (baiting and 1080), Aris Sertaridis, David Lucas. Tim Watson (rabbit proof gate).

Location 3: HARBOUR DESTRUCTION

Topic: effective destruction of harbour - imploding warrens, ripping, gorse removal

Why use implosion?

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Button pushed 11:00am)
Address: Peter Millar, 130 Manifold Road, St Leonards
(8 min drive to Swan Bay Jetty Picnic Area - Lunch)

People:

location coordinator - Fiona Conroy
admin person - Georgie Foster
performers - Brad Spear
Our experts will guide you through a tour of treated and to-be-treated rabbit warrens. It’s an incredible chance to see rabbit control efforts in action and get practical insights on managing rabbit populations on larger properties. Ripping and implosion are generally the work of experts who contract to help. The costs and efficiencies available will be considered by the experts alongside the risks and benefits.

Lunch & chat

Topic: Lunch - Swan Bay Jetty Picnic Area, Swan Bay Road, Mannerim - kid friendly

Time: 12:00 PM / 2.00 PM
Address: Swan Bay Jetty Picnic Area, Swan Bay Road, Mannerim

Lunch invites - Alex Johnson (COGG), Fiona Conroy (landowner), Sophie Small

What to Bring

Essentials: Water, a hat, sunscreen, and your lunch and drinks (especially for the picnic).
Recommended: A picnic rug, sturdy shoes, folding chair for comfort, warm coat.

We will provide - ??????????

We’re looking forward to a fantastic day full of learning and community.
Thank you for being a part of the Rabbit Sweep initiative!

See you there!
The Rabbit Sweep Community