Council will be conducting another round of pest control at the Ashburton Cemetery and Ashburton Business Estate this week, targeting rabbits, hares and possums.

The work is weather dependent, but is proposed to happen on Wednesday 28 June.

Infrastructure and Open Spaces Group Manager Neil McCann said the pest control would be carried out at night by an experienced and approved contractor.

“The work is on Council-owned land and is aimed at limiting the damage caused by pests like rabbits, which have been busy digging holes.”

The European rabbit was introduced to New Zealand as a food source and hunting resource in the 1860s. Females can produce 20-30 young each year, though only about 10 per cent of juveniles survive to six months of age.

Mr McCann said night shooting was a very effective way to control light infestations.

“This pest operation is planned for Wednesday night and we are letting people know that our contractor will be working in both locations.”