The City of Melville in collaboration with the Town of East Fremantle, the City of Fremantle, Fremantle Port Authority, Department of Defense and Transfield Services are running the information session as part of the collaborative fox colony management project, which aims to reduce the impact that foxes have on the native environment.

An abundance of available food has allowed fox population to reach a high of 10 foxes per square kilometre in urban areas, with 18 dens located in the Melville area. Foxes have a major impact on the native wildlife and domestic pets in residential areas and pose a potential health risk to the community as they are a known carrier of diseases such as rabies.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the cooperative fox management program aimed to minimise the presence and damage caused by foxes in and around the City of Melville, City of Fremantle and the Town of East Fremantle. “Funding has been secured from the Perth Biodiversity Project to help tackle the fox problem,” he said. “Foxes have played a major role in the decline of a number of native species. They target all kinds of prey, including small-to-medium mammals, birds such as swans and reptiles.”

Residents can help by reporting any recent fox sightings in the Cities of Melville, Fremantle or Town of East Fremantle to animalpest@bigpond.com or by phoning 9725 3377.

The community information night runs from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at the Melville Water Polo Club, 88 Blackwell Reach Parade, Bicton.

Light refreshments will be provided and experts will be there to discuss foxes, their impact on the environment and answer any questions.

For more information about the project, contact Environmental Officer Deanne Wynn on 9364 0283 or email environment@melville.wa.gov.au.