QLD farm hopping into new venture

A Queensland farming family has hopped through loopholes to be given the go-ahead to keep a new animal on their north-Brisbane property.

Neve Taylor with her mum Katrina White and animals 'Priscilla' the polish hen, Steffie the mini goat, gypsy the camel, and Blondie the Alpacca. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

WHITE Ridge Farm has hopped into a new venture and will now be keeping rabbits at its Elimbah property.

Owner Katrina White said they decided to get an exhibitor’s licence to expand the variety of animals at the farm and educate visitors on why rabbits are considered a pest in Queensland.

“Rabbits have been illegal in Queensland for as long as I can remember and it didn’t matter who you were, you couldn’t get a licence to keep them,” she said.

'Posie' at White Ridge Farm in Elimbah. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

“In the last six months the government has issued a few exhibitor’s licences and we were lucky enough to get one.

“It is such a unique animal to show if you’re a Queenslander, a lot of people haven’t even seen a rabbit, but they’re also a part of our educational programs.

White Ridge Farm in Caboolture run educational programs for school visits and have facilities for disability services and nursing home group visits. Friday May 10, 2019. Katrina White with her sheep Ollie and Dog Honey. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

“They might be cute and fluffy but there is a reason we’re not allowed them in Queensland and it’s because they destroy crops.”

Queensland has the toughest anti-rabbit regime in the world, with penalties up to $44,000 and six months in prison.

Blondie the Alpacca. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Mrs White said bunnies weren’t the only new project their team had been working on. The family-run hobby farm would soon be home to a putt putt golf course, which may open in coming months.

Visitors can pet or feed llamas, alpacas, a camel, a donkey, miniature horses, cows, geese, piglets, lambs, goats, hens and now bunnies.

White Ridge Farm is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9am-3pm at 130 Hamilton Rd, Elimbah.

Phone [phone] or visit whiteridgefarm.com.au.