Rabbits

Feral rabbit populations are increasing on the North Shore and cause major environmental damage, including the destruction of native vegetation, sports fields, reserves and gardens.

According to Local Land Services, feral rabbits cost Australia over $200 million in damage each year.

Notice of RHDV Calicivirus Release

Council is working collaboratively with the Local Land Services and other North Shore Councils to conduct the release of the RHDV calicivirus on Monday 3 March 2025. The aim of the program is to reduce the local feral rabbit population. Owners of pet rabbits are advised to inoculate them against the virus which can be done at your local vet. Sites were the virus will be released will be signposted.

Release sites

Reserve

Address

Suburb

Howson Oval

39A Howson Avenue

TURRAMURRA 2074

Darnley Oval

2 Warandoo St

GORDON NSW 2072

Kent Oval

5 Kent Road

TURRAMURRA 2075

Bicentennial Park

2 Lofberg Road

WEST PYMBLE 2073

Cliff Oval

28 Cliff Avenue

NORTH WAHROONGA 2076

Wahroonga Park

51 Coonanbarra Road

WAHROONGA 2076

Comenarra Creek Reserve (Robin Ave Fire Trail)

44 Koombalah Avenue

SOUTH TURRAMURRA 2074

Bryce Oval

15 Bryce Avenue

ST IVES NSW 2075

Golden Jubilee Oval

7 Esk Street

NORTH WAHROONGA 2076

Koola Park

26A Koola Avenue

KILLARA NSW 2071

74A Maxwell Street Asset Protection Zone

74A Maxwell Street

SOUTH TURRAMURRA 2074

Ibbitson Park

1 Wolseley Road

LINDFIELD NSW 2070

Bradley Park - Cove to Canoon Asset Protection Zone - End of Ulm St

72 Canoon Road

SOUTH TURRAMURRA NSW 2074

Comenarra Creek Reserve - Combe to Yanko Asset Protection Zone

55B Wallalong Crescent/110 Yanko Rd

WEST PYMBLE NSW 2073

Gordon Golf Course

124a St Johns Ave

GORDON NSW 2072

Wyuna to Kiparra Asset Protection Zone

52 Wyuna Road

WEST PYMBLE 2072

Bannockburn Oval

49 Bannockburn Road

PYMBLE NSW 2073

Sheldon Forest

2 Warragal Road

PYMBLE NSW 2073

Pencil Park

59-61 Memorial Avenue

ST IVES NSW 2075

Toolang Playing Field

102A Warrimoo Avenue

ST IVES CHASE NSW 2075

Eldinhope Green

5 Morris Avenue

WAHROONGA 2076

Irish Town Grove

16 Adams Avenue

TURRAMURRA NSW 2074

Program schedule

  • Free feed 1 – Thursday 20 February
  • Free feed 2 – Monday 24 February
  • Free feed 3 – Wednesday 26 February
  • RHDV release – Monday 3 March

Carrots will be used for free feeding and then mixed with the RHDV calicivirus for release. RHDV calicivirus ONLY affects rabbits, its not harmful to domestic cats, dogs, or native wildlife.

Greater Sydney Local Land Services is the NSW government agency responsible for decisions on feral animal control programs.

For more information contact:

Report a rabbit sighting

You can help us monitor the movements of rabbits by reporting sightings online. 

Rabbit control FAQs

Control options for private properties

In terms of keeping rabbits out of your property, the best option is to undertake fencing and attach rabbit netting to an existing fence around the area requiring protection. Most fencing contractors should be able to undertake these works at a relatively low cost. In addition to fencing, Council recommends that a private pest control company, specialising in vertebrate pest control, is contacted to assist in eradicating rabbits on your land.

Other options include:

  • Spraying your plants with a liquid deterrent made from boiled garlic and chilli or spreading blood and bone fertilizer, both techniques will have to be repeated after rain.
  • Poisoning with Pindone oat bait:
    This is a product that can be used by residents in accordance with the product label. A condition of this product is that it can only be used in properties large than 1000sqm. Properties less than 1000sqm will need to get an off label permit from Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). This control technique increases the potential to harm non-target native animals like bandicoots, so currently it’s not a method that would be encouraged if you have bandicoots in your yard or you live next to bushland areas (it an offensive to harm native wildlife NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1979). Council is happy to provide technical assists for residents who want to use this method. Learn more.
  • Rabbit warren fumigation:
    This method can only be done by licenced Pest Controllers and involves releasing a poisonous gas into the rabbit warren. It can be done on private land and is not limited to lot size. The problem is that many of the rabbit infestations in Ku-ring-gai are scrub rabbits, meaning that they live in the bush as opposed to warrens.
  • Cage trapping and euthanasia:
    This method involved using a cage trap to capture rabbits and then they can be taken to an approved vet to be euthanised. Council has traps which can be borrowed and the cost of euthanasia is covered by Council. 
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