Nearly 2000 surveys have gone out to residents on Otago Peninsula seeking their views on a possum eradication programme for the area.
The survey, accompanied by an information brochure, is a major step for the Otago Peninsula Biodiversity Group, which received funding last year to look at a strategic and planned approach to possum control in an effort to protect the area's biodiversity values.
Biodiversity Group chairwoman Irene Scurr said as well as the surveys, seven public meetings were planned around the peninsula this month to give as many residents as possible a chance to have their say.
Possums were a significant problem, and had been identified as the most controllable of the many animal pests on the peninsula.
The survey and meetings aimed to gather the residents' opinions of pest animals on the peninsula, appropriate methods of controlling pests and the level of support for a possum eradication programme.
Animal control could be a sensitive issue so it was important everyone was well informed, she said.
"We're hoping to work with individuals to meet everyone's concerns."
A website (www.pestfreepeninsula.org.nz) had also been created to help provide answers to people's questions as well as provide the opportunity to respond to a survey.
The response so far had been positive, Mrs Scurr said.
"The general feeling is that as long as everyone buys into it, it'll work."
The group also planned to run monitoring lines throughout the peninsula to accurately estimate possum numbers.
Material gained from the survey and meetings would be used as the basis for a management plan and then the group would seek further funding for an eradication programme.
