A Victorian landowner has been convicted, fined $500 and ordered to pay $38,747 in compensation costs to the Department of Primary Industries for failing to control rabbits on his property.

The Melbourne Magistrates Court made the decision after the DPI entered the property and undertook rabbit control works recently.

DPI biosecurity area manager Mark Farrer said the DPI conducted rabbit and invasive plant compliance programs to support the community effort and protect high value environmental and agricultural assets.

“DPI staff issued land management notices for the control of rabbits to several landholders in the local Elmhurst area,” he said.

“When a landowner fails to comply with a land management notice, [the] DPI has powers under the provisions of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 to enter the property and undertake the required control works.”

Farrer said three landholders in the area had failed to meet the requirements of land management notices and had been prosecuted under the provisions of the act.

“[The] DPI will continue to support the community and protect important environmental assets by enforcing action on rabbits and priority invasive plants,” Farrer said.

Elmhurst Landcare Group secretary Geoff Penna said all community members needed to do their bit to help control rabbits and the DPI was supporting control efforts.

^{Source: Department of Primary Industries Victoria}