A rabbit control program on the outskirts of Woden tempting furry pests with poison will close this week, but future measures to combat numbers are on the cards.
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The ACT government and the Federal Golf Club have implemented the program in the Hughes and Red Hill region since February 14, to combat rabbit numbers and prevent the pests from overgrazing the area.
Territory and Municipal Services will wrap up the program this week and evaluate its effectiveness, but one of the residents hardest hit by an influx of rabbits on the outskirts of Hughes is concerned the measures are too little too late.
In January, The Chronicle reported the concerns of David Morgan who lives opposite the golf course and was worried the invasion of rabbits stemmed from excavation work at the western end of the Federal Golf Club.
The golf club removed dead trees and destroyed burrows near the second tee on the golf course in early January, following the removal of a maintenance shed mid-last year.
Mr Morgan, who was worried the rabbits had dispersed into suburban streets before they could be fumigated, said numbers seemed to have dropped off during the day but were still a big problem.
"I don't where the numbers of rabbits go during the day. However, they are apparently thriving and increasing in numbers again. I went outside after midnight last [Wednesday night, March 26] and saw 60 to 100 rabbits up and down the nature strip [between Hughes and the golf club]," he said.
"Quite a few walkers-by are telling me it's not Colvin Street any more, it's Rabbit Rowe. There are rabbits in other people's yards as well. Those rabbits [in the streets] are not eating bait stations."
A Territory and Municipal Services spokeswoman said ACT Parks and Conservation had primarily conducted the program, which was designed to reduce numbers in the area, including the land between Mr Morgan's property and the golf course.
Although the number of rabbits baited as of last week was not available before The Chronicle went to print, preliminary results had been encouraging.
"[They] have revealed the program was well implemented, already showing a reduction of rabbit numbers in the area," the spokeswoman said.
"Assessment of the program has commenced to determine remaining rabbit numbers and will continue throughout 2014. Evaluation activities include night-time spotlight counts as well as the visual assessment of rabbit presence."
Future pest control work would continue to be used in the Red Hill precinct to reduce numbers and consequent damage if necessary.
"Further strategies that would be considered, where appropriate, include further baiting programs, fumigation and the release of Calicivirus."
