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Coastal Residents Battling Rabbit Invasion: Thousands in Damages and Counting
9 Nov
Summary
- Coastal residents face thousands in damages from exploding rabbit populations
- Experts warn rabbits may be becoming immune to Australia's main biological control
- Coordinated eradication efforts across government agencies have failed so far
As of November 9th, 2025, coastal residents in southeast Australia are facing a growing crisis as rabbit populations have exploded to plague-like proportions. Locals like Peter Bradley and Harold Jackson report spending thousands of dollars to repair damage caused by the burrowing pests, with Jackson's garden in Cowes costing close to $20,000 in repairs.
The surge in coastal rabbit numbers has prompted the Bass Coast shire council to unanimously vote to develop a new eradication plan last month, admitting that 15 years and $180,000 in professional control efforts have failed. Experts believe the issue may be linked to a benign virus called RCV-A1 that provides cross-immunity to the deadly calicivirus, Australia's main biological weapon against rabbits.
With year-round green grass supporting constant breeding, coastal rabbits are more exposed to RCV-A1, potentially rendering calicivirus less effective in these areas. Coordinating a solution across multiple government agencies has also proven challenging, leaving locals like Carola Adolf, who has had her property made unsafe by the burrowing pests, desperate for new strategies to tackle the crisis.
