“This is urgent; we must act now with a huge knock-down, not a band-aid approach,” Ward said.
“This is a wise use of the reserve funds – a dollar spent now is $10 saved later on.”
Fellow councillor Peter Scott said local knowledge and co-ordination were vital.
“I know two people who recently shot 200 wallabies over two days,” he said.
“This is a pest, and it’s destructive.
“It’s also a huge area we’re dealing with, so we need to work with the community to find a local solution for a local problem.”
Scott said he was pleased with the council’s support, which he believed would benefit the whole region – and the country.
“If left unchecked, wallaby spread would have serious consequences for biodiversity, productive land, and neighbouring regions.
“Acting now enables us to protect both local communities and the substantial public investment already made.”
The investment will fund a co-ordinated package of work across the containment area, including new exclusion fencing, expanded aerial and ground control, maintenance operations, and enhanced monitoring and landowner engagement.
The council’s Pest Management Reserve has a target balance of $1m and allows surplus funds to be reinvested into urgent pest management activity without the need to increase rates.
The work also complements central government investment through the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme, under which nearly $14m has already been invested in Canterbury.
The council will receive progress updates on delivery at the end of each financial year.
Longer‑term funding options for wallaby management, including targeted rates, will be considered through the Long‑Term Plan 2027–37.
– Supplied by Environment Canterbury
