9 August 2012

HuB Possum Control Signage at Park Island

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s latest HuB possum control programme has been well-received by Poraiti residents.

The next stage will see signage put up at all entrances to Park Island next week.

Before any control work is done, Rod Hansen, of Hansen Contracting and the contractor for the HBRC programme, has been door knocking in Poraiti. He is discussing with residents the places where they regularly see possums and control options.

Mr Hansen is a skilled operator and is able to advise residents on a variety of control methods so they can decide which would best suit their property and preferences.

“We follow best practices for this programme, as people need to be confident in managing a suitable and safe control on their own properties,” says Allan Beer, HBRC Biosecurity Team Leader.

Residents can purchase bait that attracts a 50% subsidy from Farmlands.

New signage will be put up at all entrances to Park Island by Napier City Council. NCC is a partner in the HuB programme managing the control on their reserves, as they have when the control programme was initiated on Napier Hill in 2009. They will be installing bait stations in Park Island and the surrounding cemeteries as these are the safest option for public areas.

Bait stations are plastic boxes which hold the bait pellets and are set in trees favoured by possums. The bait stations are placed well out of the reach of children and dogs. There is a risk to dogs which are not under their owners’ control, as dogs can scavenge any possum carcasses not picked up by Rod Hansen. Dog walkers should have dogs under control in any public area. Veterinarians in Napier and Hastings have antidotes available.

Residents living in other areas of Napier and Hastings who have a possum problem and would like to operate a bait station, are welcome to contact HBRC for advice to get started.

“When possum numbers get really low, we benefit from healthier parks to walk in, healthier trees and gardens, and an increase in native bird life. Napier and Havelock North residents are thrilled with how quickly the birds came back, and we expect Poraiti will flourish over the next year.”

ENDS

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