Rabbit control update
From mid-October 2026, rabbit control operations will be undertaken at Amaroo, City Hill, Forde, Grevillea Park, Lyneham, Hill Reserve (Ngunnawal), Nicholls and RSL Park (Campbell).
Rabbits are a declared pest in the ACT. Control operations aim to keep rabbit populations below a density where they can cause significant harm to the environment. For more information, see the Biosecurity (Pests) Declaration 2025.
Rabbit control is carried out by qualified contractors. Works usually take place at night so closures are not often necessary.
Find out about upcoming rabbit control works in the weekly maintenance update.
Methods
Rabbit populations have increased considerably in some nature reserves and urban areas across Canberra. We monitor known rabbit populations. This information helps determine the best rabbit control techniques for each location.
A range of rabbit control techniques are used, including:
- fumigation
- shooting pellets by air rifle
- destruction of rabbit warrens.
Safety
Rabbit control operations are undertaken in line with:
- the national Model Code of Practice for the Humane Control of Rabbits
- Best Practice Management Guide for Rabbits in the ACT (PDF 1.2 MB).
Rabbit remains are removed during the operations and buried at a landfill site.
If you find rabbit remains in the area, do not touch them.
Outcomes
No control program achieves 100% removal of rabbits. Rabbit control operations aim to reduce the populations to low levels so they can’t breed rapidly.
Follow-up assessments are undertaken after operations to determine:
- the effectiveness of the control program
- whether any further action is required.