‘Out of control’: Rabbits burrow through burial grounds as infestation explodes

WILD rabbits are tunnelling through graves across the Junee shire, with cemeteries and town streets now overrun by the fast-breeding pest.

From backyards to burial sites — the infestation is growing, and so is public anger, as once-sacred sites are reduced to warrens.

In response to escalating concerns, Riverina Local Land Services (LLS) is launching a coordinated regional crackdown across the Junee, Coolamon, and Temora shires, where rabbit infestations are reaching crisis point.

Over the past year, more than 15,000 kilograms of baited carrots have been distributed across the three local government areas, with calicivirus (RHDV‑K5) released at 10 separate sites. Yet locals say the problem has only worsened.

◾️BURROWING THROUGH BURIAL GROUNDS

Among the most distressing impacts are those seen at local cemeteries, where rabbits are tunnelling through burial plots — displacing soil, cracking headstones and gravestones, and undermining sacred spaces.

A local landholder described the damage to graves at Old Junee as “upsetting” and “disrespectful”.

“It’s heartbreaking. The burrows are everywhere, not just beside graves, but right into them. It’s so upsetting and honestly just disrespectful,” the resident said.

“If that was your child or your partner or your parent buried there, you would be horrified to see it. These are sacred places.

“These aren’t 100-year-old forgotten plots, some of them are only a few decades old.”

Old Junee Cemetery | Photo: Supplied

Old Junee Cemetery | Photo: Supplied

They went on to question how the situation had been allowed to deteriorate, saying their family has spent significant time and money controlling rabbits on private land while the problem appears to fester on Council-managed land.

“This is supposed to be a place of rest and remembrance. Instead, it’s a rabbit warren,” the resident said.

“Council has been contacted, but they just say there’s no budget. Yet they still raise our rural rates. For what services, exactly? It’s become a joke.

We’re constantly baiting and shooting at our own cost to protect crops and pasture, while right next door, rabbits are left to breed freely on Council land. How is that fair?”

The situation is no better at Junee’s Monumental Cemetery, where active warrens and dozens of fresh burrows have been identified throughout multiple burial rows, including just metres from the Lawn Cemetery.

The Junee Bulletin observed as many as four burrows tunnelling beneath one gravestone from 2015.

Junee cemeteries have been overrun by the fast-breeding pest | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Rabbits are burrowing through graves at Junee Monumental Cemetery | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Rabbits are burrowing through graves at Junee Monumental Cemetery | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Rabbits are burrowing through graves at Junee Monumental Cemetery | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Rabbits are burrowing through graves at Junee Monumental Cemetery | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

A spokesperson from Riverina LLS noted that cemeteries are “uniquely exposed” to wild rabbit damage due to their soft, undisturbed soil, which is ideal for burrowing.

◾️ RABBITS SPILL INTO STREETS, GARDENS & TOWN CENTRES

Beyond the cemeteries, Junee residents say infestations are spilling from wetlands, rail corridors, and crown land into residential streets and private backyards.

Locals say rabbits have been left to breed freely on rail land — locally referred to as “the triangle” — in the centre of Junee, with dead rabbits often seen along Main Street, struck by vehicles as they move between rail land and residential blocks.

Railway land in the centre of Junee has been identified has a ‘breeding hotspot’ | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Railway land in the centre of Junee has been identified has a ‘breeding hotspot’ | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Railway land in the centre of Junee has been identified has a ‘breeding hotspot’ | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Rabbits sit atop a mound of dirt on railway land in the centre of Junee | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Residents also report rabbits occupying road verges throughout the Junee township at night, and digging up lawns and gardens near the wetlands.

“The problem isn’t just in our cemeteries or on farms anymore, it’s at our doorsteps,” one resident said.

“We need something done within the Junee township,” said another. “They’re chewing plants, digging trenches under fences. We’re filling in holes every week.”

While the Junee wetlands is managed by Council, the rail land in and around Junee falls under the control of both the national network (ARTC) and the Country Regional Network (CRN).

The infestation is now spilling into backyards | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

◾️ JUNEE COUNCIL: No public comment

In response to mounting community concern, the Junee Bulletin submitted a series of detailed questions to Junee Shire Council on August 6, seeking information on control measures, budgets, cemetery repairs, and public safety risks relating to the rabbit infestation.

While a lengthy off‑the‑record response was provided by Council’s Director of Engineering, the Council declined to make any public comment, aside from encouraging concerned residents to speak directly with staff.

However, eight days later, on August 14, Council announced that rabbit baiting would commence at Junee Monumental, Old Junee, and Illabo cemeteries, in conjunction with LLS.

Free-feeding began in the cemeteries yesterday, Monday, August 18, and will be followed by the distribution of poisoned baits from August 25 to September 5, during which time the cemeteries will be temporarily closed.

“Areas undergoing treatment will have signs displayed and all directions regarding entry should be followed,” the Council notice read.

“Landholders, neighbours and visitors are warned to restrain their pets and ensure they do not enter the baiting location during poisoning as non-target animals may be affected.”

◾️ LEADING BY EXAMPLE — COOLAMON CULLS 1,400 RABBITS IN 1 WEEK

Neighbouring Coolamon Shire Council has also seen “a marked rise” in rabbit numbers, with Mayor Cr David McCann telling the Junee Bulletin that cemeteries across his shire have likewise been overrun.

“The issue extends beyond agricultural land and is increasingly evident in towns and villages, particularly in the southern parts of the shire,” Mayor McCann said.

“In recent months, Council has implemented an eradication program targeting several cemeteries where infestations were causing damage to graves.

“Over the course of a week, contractors engaged by Council removed approximately 1,400 rabbits using a combination of methods, including shooting and burrow deconstruction.”

Railway land in the centre of Junee has been identified has a ‘breeding hotspot’ | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

Mayor McCann confirmed Council has been in regular contact with LLS since raising concerns, and is actively monitoring all public land under its control for signs of infestation.

Coolamon’s General Manager, Tony Donoghue, added that Council will soon consider a report recommending in-principle support for LLS’s new regional control plan.

“This Council believes it is more appropriate to work with all stakeholders to maximise any eradication programme,” Mr Donoghue said.

◾️ REGULATOR RESPONDS

Following concerns over cemetery damage in Junee, the Junee Bulletin contacted Cemeteries & Crematoria NSW (CCNSW), the state regulator that licenses cemetery operators.

The agency — which does not provide grants or operational funding — confirmed Junee Shire Council holds a Category 3 licence, which requires it to maintain cemeteries and ensure public access.

A CCNSW spokesperson confirmed staff had visited Junee Monumental Cemetery as part of a broader roadshow in April 2024, where concerns about rabbit damage were discussed with Council staff.

“CCNSW observed rabbit holes in the cemetery and discussed concerns with Council staff about how they could be appropriately managed in terms of cemetery safety,” the spokesperson said.

Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

“This was an informal discussion during a site visit and CCNSW did not make any commitments to Council.”

The regulator said it had not advised Council to close any part of the cemetery, but acknowledged that temporary signage or barriers may be appropriate if public safety is compromised.

“Cemeteries must remain accessible through carrying out basic grounds maintenance [but] operators may limit access if they believe it is unsafe to allow access.”

◾️ LOCAL LAND SERVICES RAMPS UP RESPONSE

Riverina LLS — the lead agency for invasive species in the region — says both public and private land managers have a shared legal duty to manage rabbit populations under the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution, as rabbits move freely across property boundaries and breed rapidly in favourable conditions,” a spokesperson said.

“This is why it is important for all land managers to work together to coordinate targeted control.”

In response to parliamentary questions from Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke MP, the NSW Government said Riverina LLS has been coordinating wild rabbit control programs across Junee, Coolamon and Temora for the past five years.

During that time, the agency has consulted with more than 150 landholders and provided around $100,000 in subsidies through the special purpose pest management rate.

These funds have supported the distribution of 1080 and Pindone-laced carrots and the engagement of contractors to carry out shooting and harbour destruction — including on 10 properties in Old Junee.

Riverina LLS is also working with UGL Regional Linx to manage rabbit activity along the Country Regional Network (CRN) rail corridor between Marrar and Old Junee.

Railway land in the centre of Junee has been identified has a ‘breeding hotspot’ | Photo: © The Junee Bulletin

◾️ NEW REGIONAL PLAN & PUBLIC FORUMS

Amid escalating concern, Riverina LLS has drafted a new regional Wild Rabbit Management Plan, which will be unveiled at a series of public consultation sessions beginning later this month.

The first session will be held at Old Junee Hall on Tuesday, 27 August, from 3pm to 5pm. It will be followed by sessions at Dirnaseer Memorial Hall on 10 September, and Marrar Hall on 16 September, both running from 3pm to 5pm.

These forums aim to educate residents about population trends, effective control methods, and how to coordinate efforts across public and private land.

LLS has confirmed it will support targeted rabbit control programs following the sessions, beginning in Old Junee where it says the pests are posing a serious threat to land productivity, native vegetation, and infrastructure.

Landholders interested in the upcoming community consultation sessions at Old Junee, Dirnaseer and Marrar can register through the Local Local Services website.

◾️ BIOLOGICAL CONTROLS LOSING THEIR EDGE?

While biological control agents like myxomatosis and calicivirus (RHDV) have historically helped curb rabbit numbers, experts are warning their long‑term effectiveness is waning.

“Rabbit’s superpower is their ability to breed so rapidly, they’re able to breed resistance to myxomatosis and to subsequent biological controls as well,” Craig Magnussen, Chair of Rabbit‑Free Australia, told the ABC.

Consequently, population rebounds are becoming more pronounced.

“We’re getting to the stage where we’re seeing the efficacy wane again, so that’s why it is so important to always continue research into what the next agent might be,” added Jack Gough, CEO of the Invasive Species Council.

Residents are encouraged to report rabbit sightings through the FeralScan app or website to help track infestations.