ORC officials say that in some parts of Central Otago, rabbit numbers have reached or exceeded levels before rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) was released in 1997.
Mr Woodhead said the threat posed by rabbits in Central Otago had been known in the area for ''a long, long time'', and recent dry conditions had helped rabbit numbers increase.
Some people had moved into the area more recently and in some cases could be less aware of the size and seriousness of the rabbit problem.
But it was ''essential'' that all landholders, whether large-scale or smaller, worked closely together.
He acknowledged that since 1997, land use and ownership in Central Otago had significantly diversified, with lifestyle blocks and viticulture operations increasing, as well as the earlier larger-scale pastoral farming.
With that widening range of uses came some diversity of viewpoints.
Some people did not like poisoning, and some did not like shooting.
There were clearly control options, but collaborative action with neighbours was required and all landowners in affected areas ''must be doing something''.
''We need to reduce rabbit numbers,'' he said.
Rising rabbit numbers not only damaged the economic prospects of individual farmers and other landholders, but also amounted to an important environmental issue.
Excessive rabbit numbers resulted in grass being cropped too short, and if the grass cover was lost, land could become prone to erosion and be badly damaged, he said.
In a recent ORC report, ORC chief executive Peter Bodeker noted that, as dry weather had continued in Central Otago, rabbit breeding had ''exceeded normal breeding cycles''.
A total of 250 properties were under management plans, but there was ''a need for compliance staff to carry out further inspections'' as many more properties would be exceeding the maximum allowable limit of rabbit numbers.
Mr Bodeker noted 1080 oat poisoning had started and would help with ''part of the problem'', but, going into winter, 1080 carrot operations would need to be undertaken.
Where pindone carrot operations were ''more appropriate'' there was a risk those might not go ahead because of the unavailability of the required liquid pindone poison.
For those semi-urban properties in breach, the ORC would consider using pindone pellets, which could still be made.
