Pest animals common to the resorts include:
- feral cats
- foxes
- Sambar deer
- rabbits.
On this page:
Threats to biodiversity
Invasive species threaten biodiversity by changing and destroying habitats and ecosystems. ARV staff actively control pest animals and plants within the alpine resorts.
Remote cameras are deployed across all resorts throughout the year to locate and identify pest animal species and inform control programs.
These cameras also capture images and video footage of native species, helping to improve understanding and inform management actions.
Controlling and reducing threats from invasive species assists in the preservation of native species.
For more information, visit: Flora and fauna management.
Pest plants also have a negative impact on the alpine environment.
They out‑compete native species and reduce biodiversity. They also impact water and soil quality, contribute to habitat loss and reduced food sources for native animals, alter ecosystems, and increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.
Weeds common within the alpine resorts include:
- Blackberry
- English Broom
- St John’s Wort
- Hawkweeds
- non-native garden ornamentals such as Ox-eye Daisy and Yarrow.
Legal responsibilities
Under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, it is a general duty of alpine resort lessees to prevent the spread of established pest animals and plants.
Reporting pests
You can help by reporting pest animal or plant sightings with details of:
- the location
- type of animal/plant
- photos you may have.
Email environment@alpineresorts.vic.gov.au or visit your resort’s visitor services centre.
Plant pest control
You can help stop the spread of weeds by cleaning footwear before entering tracks, washing bikes at bike stations, and disposing of food waste properly.
Only native alpine species may be planted in resorts. Further information is available on Flora and fauna management.
Small mammal identification
Most of the small mammals found around the resort that look like rodents are native such as the:
- Dusky and Agile Antechinus
- Broad-toothed rats
- Southern Bush rats.
For this reason, residents and visitors are not permitted to poison or use snap trapping on any small mammals in alpine resorts.
Any properties experiencing problems with small mammals should contact the local alpine resort office or to organise use of a live trap for capture and release.
Keeping living and working spaces free of food and rubbish will reduce the risk of attracting small mammals and causing illness or injury.
Keeping living and working spaces free of food and rubbish will reduce the risk of attracting small mammals and causing illness or injury.
Page last updated: 21/04/26