A coordinated, community wide effort to tackle wild rabbits is underway across the Southern Highlands, with landholders, council and local contractors joining forces in one
of the region’s largest Pindone baiting programs to date.
Led by Local Land Services Biosecurity Officer Nick Cox, the 2026 Southern Highlands Pindone Program is targeting six key locations Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, Exeter, Berrima and Penrose in a united vegetation effort to reduce rabbit numbers and protect agricultural land and native vegetation.
“Wild rabbits don’t respect fence lines, so if we want real results, we have to work together,” Nick said.
“This program is about getting whole communities involved at the same time so we can significantly knock down populations, rather than just shifting the problem from one property to the next.”
Up to 80 private landholders have registered to participate, alongside five Wingecarribee Shire Council sites and two major Southern Highlands golf courses. Three contractors have been engaged to deliver baiting services across private and council managed land.
More than six tonnes of carrot bait is expected to be distributed throughout the program.
Nick said the strong level of participation reflects a growing understanding of the economic and environmental impact rabbits have across the region.
“Rabbits compete directly with livestock for feed, damage crops and gardens, and contribute to soil erosion and loss of native vegetation,” he said.
“When seasonal conditions are favourable, populations can explode quickly. Acting early and acting together is critical.”
In Berrima alone, more than 250 hectares of private land is being treated under the program. The initiative has also supported broader land management outcomes, including compliance action where significant rabbit and blackberry infestations were identified.
Community education remains a key part of the approach. A rabbit management workshop held in Penrose on 6 February 2026 attracted 22 participants, providing landholders with practical guidance on coordinated control, legal responsibilities and long
term management.
“This isn’t just a one off baiting program,” Mr Cox said.
“It’s about building awareness and giving landholders the tools and confidence to stay on top of rabbits well beyond this season.”
Wild rabbits are a declared pest animal in NSW and coordinated programs such as this are essential to achieving sustained population reduction.
For more information on managing wild rabbits, visit the NSW Government website or contact your local biosecurity officer on 1300 795 299.
