A professional contractor will carry out rabbit control in Peace Park, Frankton. Fumigation is being used at this location because the reserve’s proximity to homes means other rabbit control methods, such as shooting, aren’t suitable. What dates is pest control work scheduled for? The work will take place during the first week of November 2026. This initial treatment will be carried out once, and we’ll monitor how effective it has been. A further round of fumigation may be needed a few weeks later. What to expect Contractors will use Magtoxin, a fumigant used to control rabbits within their burrows. The fumigant is placed directly into rabbit burrows before the entrances are closed over. It reacts with moisture to release gas within the burrow. Please be aware: Signage will be in place around the treatment area. Dogs must be kept out of the treated area and should not be allowed to dig around rabbit burrows for 24 hours after treatment. Rabbit burrow entrances will be closed over as part of the treatment. Signs will be removed once the area is safe for dogs to return. Area of works

Cemeteries and Reserves

An experienced professional contractor will carry rabbit control operations across the district including Cemetery Reserves (Shotover, Wānaka, Cardrona and Glenorchy Cemeteries) and Luggate and Templeton Reserves. Personnel and signage will be clearly visible at all times. When will work start? This work is carried out during daytime hours estimated for four-five hours across late December 2024 and January 2025. What to expect There will be a team of working dogs and ferrets that will need to be able to work uninterrupted or interfered with by other dogs. If members of the public are asked to wait by the contractor, they must do so. Public walking tracks may be temporarily closed while the rabbit control is happening. Please keep your dog on a lead or under control while in the area. Do not allow your dog access to the working dogs or ferrets. Trained Ferrets fitted with location devices enter rabbit burrows to find rabbits via scent. Rabbits are chased out from tunnel systems to avoid capture from the ferret/s to be caught through a number of effective capture methods including a combination of nets and dogs.

Rabbit Control: Fumigation, Ferret and Working Dog Operations

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Current operations

We're carrying out control work using ferrets and working dogs to reduce rabbit numbers in our district’s reserves to help decrease the effects they have on vegetation.

To find alternative trails to walk your dog during rabbit control operations in your area, check out the interactive map below:

QLDC Dog Control Map

Note: Zoom in on map to see colour coded trails indicating where dogs must be on leash (blue), can be off leash (green) or not allowed (red).

A professional contractor will carry out rabbit control in Peace Park, Frankton. Fumigation is being used at this location because the reserve’s proximity to homes means other rabbit control methods, such as shooting, aren’t suitable.
What dates is pest control work scheduled for?
The work will take place during the first week of November 2026.
This initial treatment will be carried out once, and we’ll monitor how effective it has been. A further round of fumigation may be needed a few weeks later.
What to expect
Contractors will use Magtoxin, a fumigant used to control rabbits within their burrows. The fumigant is placed directly into rabbit burrows before the entrances are closed over. It reacts with moisture to release gas within the burrow.
Please be aware:
- Signage will be in place around the treatment area.
- Dogs must be kept out of the treated area and should not be allowed to dig around rabbit burrows for 24 hours after treatment.
- Rabbit burrow entrances will be closed over as part of the treatment.
- Signs will be removed once the area is safe for dogs to return.
Area of works
An experienced professional contractor will carry rabbit control operations across the district including Cemetery Reserves (Shotover, Wānaka, Cardrona and Glenorchy Cemeteries) and Luggate and Templeton Reserves. Personnel and signage will be clearly visible at all times.

When will work start?
This work is carried out during daytime hours estimated for four-five hours across late December 2024 and January 2025.

What to expect
There will be a team of working dogs and ferrets that will need to be able to work uninterrupted or interfered with by other dogs.
- If members of the public are asked to wait by the contractor, they must do so.
- Public walking tracks may be temporarily closed while the rabbit control is happening.
- Please keep your dog on a lead or under control while in the area.
- Do not allow your dog access to the working dogs or ferrets.
Trained Ferrets fitted with location devices enter rabbit burrows to find rabbits via scent. Rabbits are chased out from tunnel systems to avoid capture from the ferret/s to be caught through a number of effective capture methods including a combination of nets and dogs.