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Gippsland Landholders Receive Rabbit Free Awards

Gippslanders wage war on rabbits

By DNRE - 29th October 2002 - Back to News

Gippsland landholders are waging war on rabbits. There are now four landholders in the region who can claim that their properties are totally free of rabbits and have received formal accreditation in recognition of their efforts to remove rabbits from their land.

"Rabbit Free" is a joint initiative involving the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), Rotary International and Catchment Management Authorities to formally recognise the efforts of landowners who have implemented integrated rabbit control actions to remove rabbits from their land.

To be accredited "Rabbit Free" means to have no visible signs of rabbits when the land is checked using normal assessment methods, ie, no visible rabbits, rabbit scratching, dung hills or warrens.

Russell Jones from Foster, William Jerram from Leongatha, Mike and Val Crunden, Swan Reach and Brendan Lauria, Longford were presented with their awards on Friday October 25. Regional Manager for NRE in Gippsland, Mr Tony Edgar, presented the landholders with their Rabbit Free accreditation at the Department’s Regional Office in Traralgon.

"It’s terrific to see four landholders that have achieved rabbit free status," Mr Edgar said.

"These signs that you can now display on your fences, will encourage other landholders to ask how they can achieve the same."

"You’ve shown that if you try hard enough and are passionate about what you’re doing, it can be done."

Geoff Hocking, Chief Executive Officer of the West Gippsland Catchment Mangement Authority also congratulated the landholders.

The landholders themselves recognised the contributions of NRE Catchment Management Officers in coordinating their efforts and encouraging and supporting them.

"Rabbit Free" recipient, Brendan Lauria from Longford said that without Ian Brown’s help they couldn’t have completed the operation successfully.

"He’s helped us immensely," Brendan said. " He’s given us access to fumigating equipment, ripping equipment and his general knowledge. He’s been magnificent and he’s only a phone call away."

With four landholders in the region receiving accreditation for rabbit free status, it is hoped that this will encourage more landholders to take part in the program to remove rabbits from their properties

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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