Rabbits are wreaking havoc on Phillip Island, with their numbers reaching a level that locals describe as a 'plague'. Peter Bradley and his wife Vicki are among those struggling to keep up with the damage, as the rabbits burrow under their house foundations daily. Harold Jackson, a long-time resident, has seen the worst of the rabbit problem, with his garden in Cowes suffering close to $20,000 in damage. The Bass Coast shire council has acknowledged the failure of their 15-year, $180,000 rabbit control efforts and has voted to develop a new eradication plan. Rabbit expert Dr. Brian Cooke suggests that a benign virus, RCV-A1, may be protecting rabbits from calicivirus, Australia's main biological weapon. This virus is more prevalent in coastal areas with year-round green grass, creating an 'upward spiral' of rabbit immunity. The situation is dire, with rabbits undermining fences, trees, and even posing a danger to horses and humans. The problem requires cross-government coordination, which has not yet been achieved. Residents like Carola Adolf are facing daily dangers, with rabbits causing injuries and property damage. The council is now tasked with producing a report on eradication options, but the challenge remains to find a solution that works for all landholders and addresses community concerns about baiting strategies.
