A wild rabbit control program is set to take place across Greater Sydney Local Government Areas, including the Central Coast, on 3 March 2025.

Led by Greater Sydney Local Land Services, Central Coast Council is participating in the program to release the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV1-K5) — also known as Calicivirus — at six locations:

• Bush Street, Norah Head
• Wadalba Community School and Wadalba Sporting Complex, Wadalba
• Ourimbah United Football Club, Ourimbah
• The Arena, North Avoca 
• Hunters Park, South End Park and/or Ficus Avenue Carpark Avoca Beach
• Umina Recreation Area, Umina Beach

At the same time, private landholders and other public land managers will release the virus across the region.

Wild rabbits are Australia’s most destructive agricultural pest, causing severe competition for resources and land degradation. They are recognised as a key threat to Australian native animals, plants and endangered ecological communities.

RHDV1-K5 has been used for wild rabbit control since 2017. It is species-specific, affecting only rabbits and posing no risk to native wildlife or other pets.

However, RHDV1-K5 can also affect pet rabbits. Council urges pet rabbit owners to vaccinate by 1 March 2025 for the best protection against the virus. Pet owners should also take extra precautions, including maintaining good hygiene, providing mosquito-proof housing and preventing contact with other rabbits.

For further information on the RHDV1-K5 release contact Greater Sydney Local Land Services on (02) 4724 2100.

If you have any questions about RHDV1-K5, visit the Australian government website to check out the FAQs here.

Landholders and community members can report sightings of rabbits or evidence of disease through the Rabbit Scan online portal.