This operation is supported by Dunedin City Council Parks, DOC, City Forests and funded by Biosecurity New Zealand, who coordinate the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme.

It will be a phased operation, with surveillance carried out in separate areas from now and into 2026, beginning with City Forests. There will be no control operations without first consulting affected landowners and stakeholders.

The operational area covers 8300ha, divided into five areas.

ORC’s project delivery specialist Gavin Udy says previous monitoring has shown we do have wallaby in this area.

“Wallaby can have a massive impact on New Zealand’s primary industry and native biodiversity, and Otago has a chance of eliminating this pest as they are still in relatively low numbers here”.

The Flagstaff and Silverstream area are highly forested, with popular recreation trails used by the public for mountain biking, dog walking and trail running, so we’ll be installing signage to let people know local contractor High Country Contracting will be in the area and that we are tracking wallaby here.”

Dunedin City Council Pest Control Contracts Manager Kate Tanner says, “Our unique biodiversity is worth protecting and we are pleased to support this wallaby operation. It’s also a good chance to remind the public that wallaby are present in Dunedin, as well as other parts of Otago, and pose a threat to our precious native flora and fauna. We encourage recreational reserve users to report sightings.”

Shane Pearce, Ranger Biodiversity Threats at DOC says, “The Department of Conservation supports the valuable work ORC are undertaking to detect wallaby in the wider Silverstream area. This work is essential to not only protect the unique biodiversity values of the area but also the wider community expectations of a healthy eco system.”

Since 2011, there have been 22 reported wallaby sightings in the Dunedin area. 

A detailed search undertaken in 2022 found wallaby scat at numerous locations across the Flagstaff area, including Silverstream, Whare Flat and Swampy Summit.

In response to the continued presence of Bennett’s wallaby in the Flagstaff/Swampy Summit area, ORC have engaged High Country Contracting to undertake control operations across the 5 areas, beginning October 2025 with City Forests (area 1). 

Why are wallaby pests?

Bennett’s wallaby foul pasture, damage fences, destroy agricultural crops, contribute to erosion, and compete with livestock. They prevent the regeneration of native bush, deplete forest understories and browse/kill seedlings of some plantation forest species.

Their continued presence in Otago is a biosecurity risk to primary industry and the natural environment.

What can the public expect?

High Country Contracting will contact landowners within the project area to discuss the operation and complete private property permission agreements to confirm access.

The public may notice indicator dogs and thermal drones being used in the area as a detection method. Trail cameras will be installed in some areas.

For landowners who have given permission, if surveillance has determined that wallabies are in the area and control work needs to be undertaken, the contractor will then discuss options with you.

For properties where landowners have not agreed to control on their property, no control will be undertaken. Notice will also be given to landowners directly adjoining any area prior to any control being undertaken.

Control methods may include shooting or using toxins and will depend on the area wallaby are found and the need to ensure public safety.

Recreational users will notice signage at public land entrances to alert visitors. The signage will have a QR code linking to an ORC webpage with information about the project.

Report wallaby sightings: www.reportwallabies.nz