WET conditions have forced the postponement of a feral rabbit control program across the Central Coast until early 2019. The program was to see the release of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, known as RHDV1-K5, in October. Local Land Services biosecurity manager Graham Wilson said the release had been delayed due to the weather, rainfall and a high volume of rabbit kittens emerging in the area. “Kittens six weeks or younger become immune to the RHDV1-K5 virus if exposed to it,” he said.
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Mannering Park Public School gets drastic on the plastic
MANNERING Park Public School has won the ‘most improved’ award in Central Coast Council’s 2018 Schools Environment Program. This year’s theme ‘Let’s get Drastic with Plastic’ supports other green initiatives by the council to protect the environment from litter and plastic pollution. Schools have also followed the lead of major supermarkets which have banned single-use plastic bags, and developed their own initiatives to reduce plastic use, the council said.
Watching for sharks
THE state government said up to $200,000 was available for local beach authorities to improve shark surveillance at beaches under the Shark Observation Grants Program. Funding is available for a range of surveillance measures, including observation towers, emergency evacuation alarms and communication systems and community awareness initiatives.
Rugby union for girls
HUNTER Junior Rugby Union (HJRU) will open a new pathway for young female players with the introduction of an innovative competition in 2019. HJRU president, Julien Castaldi, said a local 10-a-side competition for girls in the under-13s, under-15s and under-17s would kick off in May. “This is exciting news for HJRU and local clubs which have been seeking an opportunity for young girls interested in playing rugby union to show their talents on the field,” Mr Castaldi said.