Rabbit control set to begin
Last year, the Otago Regional Council issued a notice to reduce rabbit numbers on Cape Wanbrow.
In a statement, the Waitaki District Council said this year it had decided to be "proactive in its pest control" to reduce the rabbit population again.
Rabbit control work will also be carried out at the Hampden Cemetery and a forestry block to the south of Hampden, near Worcester St.
The council spokesperson said there are high numbers of rabbits in these areas that cannot be controlled with night shooting alone.
Council officers will also be engaging with leaseholders of council land to ensure pest control takes place elsewhere in Hampden.
A spokesperson said the rabbit control programme has two main stages, first Pindone-laced carrot bait will be placed in the areas for control. The control work will involve two drops, a week apart (with a third if required), using hand-laid carrots coated with Pindone, deposited in areas where rabbits are most active.
The council statement said residents and the community will be informed of dates for night-shooting well in advance.
Property owners in the area will be provided with letters detailing the work to be done, and maps of where the rabbit control will take place. The council advises people and animals should not touch the baits and dogs should be kept on a leash at all times in the operation areas as Pindone is poisonous to people and animals.
The rabbit control operation starts on July 28 and runs through August. — APL
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Good Response To South Dunedin Future Engagement
There is a clear mandate for change in South Dunedin, based on the results of the most recent public engagement on the South Dunedin Future programme. The community was asked to respond to seven potential adaptation futures for South Dunedin, as well as public tolerance of flooding and views on funding climate adaptation. South Dunedin Future programme manager Jonathan Rowe says , 'We're grateful to the many people who took the time to share their views. There appears to be a strong mandate for change, to move beyond the status quo, and to work together toward a safer, more resilient South Dunedin.' This phase of community engagement involved more than 1,200 individuals and organisations participating in a series of workshops, drop-in events, online surveys, and targeted stakeholder dialogue from 29 March to 11 May 2025. Key results included: Almost 73% of respondents indicated that Future 1 – Status quo (keep doing what we are doing) is taking South Dunedin in the wrong direction. Future 4 – 'Space for Water' (waterways and wetlands) was the most supported, with 59% agreeing this takes South Dunedin in the right direction. Future 7 – 'Let Water In' (large-scale retreat) was the least popular overall, with 47% indicating this takes South Dunedin in the wrong direction. When asked about risk and tolerance, 83% of respondents indicated that South Dunedin would become 'unliveable' for them if floodwaters entered their homes, even occasionally. In contrast, there was a higher level of tolerance for minor or 'nuisance' flooding in areas such as parks, streets, and open spaces. Two prominent themes emerged in the feedback across all Futures included that council should build more infrastructure in the short term to reduce present day flood risk, and that people want more information about any potential managed retreat process, including in regard to location, timing, and process for property buy-outs. 'The survey results show that people want action that responds to the scale of the challenge. This includes getting on top of present-day flooding issues, while also being open to large-scale change that might be required to tackle climate-change impacts in the future', says Mr Rowe. In addition to public engagements, targeted sessions were held with infrastructure providers, banks, insurers, developers, social service agencies, and government agencies. The results of these sessions showed a desire for a clear, long-term strategy to support decision-making and investment confidence. South Dunedin Future is a joint programme launched in 2020 by the Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council to develop a comprehensive climate change adaptation plan for South Dunedin that is viable, affordable, and has broad support. Mr Rowe says, 'the engagement report being presented to both councils marks the conclusion of the current phase of community engagement. The feedback received will now be combined with more technical and economic work to identify a shortlist of three adaptation futures for South Dunedin.' The engagement report will be discussed next week by Councillors at the ORC Council meeting on Wednesday, 23 July and the DCC Council meeting on Wednesday 30 July. The South Dunedin Future programme remains on track to deliver a shortlist of three adaptation futures by early-2026, and following further community engagement, a final adaptation plan for South Dunedin is scheduled for completion by December 2026.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Rabbit control set to begin
Carrots laced with poisoned bait will be laid before a shooting operation starts to cull wild rabbit numbers on Cape Wanbrow, including areas near the penguin colony and Waterfront Rd, in Oamaru and at two sites in Hampden in late July and August. Last year, the Otago Regional Council issued a notice to reduce rabbit numbers on Cape Wanbrow. In a statement, the Waitaki District Council said this year it had decided to be "proactive in its pest control" to reduce the rabbit population again. Rabbit control work will also be carried out at the Hampden Cemetery and a forestry block to the south of Hampden, near Worcester St. The council spokesperson said there are high numbers of rabbits in these areas that cannot be controlled with night shooting alone. Council officers will also be engaging with leaseholders of council land to ensure pest control takes place elsewhere in Hampden. A spokesperson said the rabbit control programme has two main stages, first Pindone-laced carrot bait will be placed in the areas for control. The control work will involve two drops, a week apart (with a third if required), using hand-laid carrots coated with Pindone, deposited in areas where rabbits are most active. The council statement said residents and the community will be informed of dates for night-shooting well in advance. Property owners in the area will be provided with letters detailing the work to be done, and maps of where the rabbit control will take place. The council advises people and animals should not touch the baits and dogs should be kept on a leash at all times in the operation areas as Pindone is poisonous to people and animals. The rabbit control operation starts on July 28 and runs through August. — APL
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Panels reflect ORC building's new name
A feature panel is now secured to the side of the Otago Regional Council's new premises, reflecting the building's new name — Aonui. PHOTOS: GERARD O'BRIEN Two feature panels being installed on the side of the Otago Regional Council building this week hold clues to the name of the new premises. The Maclaggan St building, owned by Port Otago and leased by the ORC, is to be called Aonui — a prestigious name that encapsulates Kāi Tahu identity throughout time. Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou ūpoko Edward Ellison said the name had "great mana and significance" in both te ao Māori and in Kāi Tahu tradition, and had the endorsement of mana whenua from across the region. "Given ORC's important role in achieving the sustainable use and management of our environment, and their commitment to partnering with mana whenua, we are delighted to share such a prestigious name for their building." Mr Ellison said Aonui related to the pursuit of knowledge in the natural world, and it was the son of Rehua in the celestial world — also known as Antares in Western astronomy. The waka Āraiteuru, which is synonymous with the Otago coast, had a crew member named Aonui, who sought fresh water and found it at Mata au (Clutha River), and is remembered by the tall basaltic pillar named Aonui (Cooks Head) just north of the Tokomairaro River on the Āraiteuru coastline. The name and panel designs were provided by mana whenua cultural experts Dr Megan Pōtiki, Paulette Tamati-Elliffe and Mr Ellison. The pūhoro patterns on the panels were created by Kāi Tahu artist Ephraim Russell, under the guidance of Aukaha's Mana Ahurea design team, and depict the rivers and streams that run through Dunedin — in particular, the awa Toitū that flows down MacLaggan St. Kāi Tahu shares a deep, cultural connection to fresh water, recognising its vital role in traditions, practices and its symbiotic relationship with the land. Fresh water holds importance as a taoka (precious resource), influencing traditional practices of mahika kai, and fostering a sense of respect, reciprocity and kaitiakitaka (stewardship). The location of the build is significant to mana whenua, with the Toitū awa (stream) next to the site of the building, as well as the location of the old Māori hostel nearby. Otago Regional Council chairwoman Gretchen Robertson said Aonui reflected the council's dedication to mana whenua and to the environment. "We are delighted that mana whenua have endorsed this prestigious name that is solidified in the Otago landscape and pulls together all aspects of the environment, from freshwater to salt water and to air. "It really highlights the importance council places on our relationship with mana whenua and our joint environmental priorities and aspirations." Other councillors' opinions were mixed. Cr Gary Kelliher denounced the whole $54.5million building as a "burden" on ratepayers. "This building continues to be a huge blight on the ratepayers and a huge cost to everyone except iwi, who get paid for their involvement and now get a mythical name that doesn't really resonate with the wider Otago community." Cr Tim Mepham described Cr Kelliher's comment as "a redneck rant". "Accepting the name Aonui, given by Ngai Tahu for the new building, reflects not only the maturing of relationship between Ngai Tahu and the council, but a growing acceptance within New Zealand that Maori and Pakeha are working together to create a positive future that will distinguish this country from the rest of the Western world." Cr Kelliher also criticised the decision to use synthetic carpet in the building instead of more environmentally friendly wool carpet, which he said was "one of the biggest kicks in the guts" for Otago farmers. "This building will burden Otago for generations, and is a prime example of why major changes are needed in regional government." Cr Michael Laws described the new headquarters as an official "up yours" to every ratepayer in the region. "It's a building in search of an empire." Cr Alexa Forbes and Cr Mepham said those who were concerned about the rates should have a close look at the funding mechanisms for the building — the sale of existing property, an existing building fund and what would normally be paid in rent. "The actual impact on ratepayers is minor," Cr Forbes said. Cr Kate Wilson, Cr Alan Somerville and Cr Forbes said they were all happy with the new name.
