Tea and biscuits could be deadly for possums on the Otago Peninsula, a community group spokesman says.
Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group project manager and Peninsula resident Rhys Millar said the group would meet about 40 owners of larger properties this week, to circulate surveys and discuss ideas for ridding the peninsula of the pest.
"This is the first stage of consultation. We are fortunate to have regional councillors, tangata whenua, and significant landowners as committee members but we need to have a chat and a cup of tea, and get farmers and landowners talking to neighbours about eradication. It will only work if people are happy with process."
In September, the group received $35,000 from the Department of Conservation's Biodiversity Advice Fund to develop a comprehensive community co-ordinated management plan for possum control.
About $4000 has also been received from the Otago Peninsula Trust, Save the Otago Peninsula, the Otago Peninsula Community Board and the Dunedin City Council.
The group hopes to hold meetings with residents of urban peninsula areas early next year.
If community consultation is successful, an eradication plan - developed in conjunction with a pest management specialist - could be implemented late next year.
