Dispersal plan on Council agenda

The Batemans Bay Flying-fox Camp Dispersal Plan will be considered by Council at next Tuesday’s  meeting as part of a report which recommends a range of actions aimed at attempting to address the issues in the short to medium term, as well as a longer term strategic approach.

The actions recommended include attempting dispersal, vegetation management, research to understand the health impacts of Grey Headed Flying Foxes (GHFF) and the reasons they select certain campsites, a review and expansion of the existing Water Gardens GHFF Camp Management Plan, entering into a conservation agreement with the Australian Government. It calls on the NSW and Australian Governments to introduce a program across multiple sites in Eurobodalla aimed at providing sustainable long term solutions for communities impacted by flying fox camps across NSW.

Council’s Acting General Manager Lindsay Usher prepared the report for Council and says that it is now available on Council’s website as part of the Council Agenda for 14 June 2016.

“Feedback from the community has been considered and we have worked closely with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage on the dispersal plan so that the required approval process will be quick if Council decides to proceed with implementing the plan.

“If the plan is submitted, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage may provide us with conditions as part of their approval. The conditions of the Australian Government’s National Interest Exemption set out that for dispersal activities must be completed by 1 August 2016 so we would be operating in a tight time frame,” said Mr Usher.

The council report details a number of considerations and recommendations including monitoring the dispersal attempt for any  adverse impacts or significant concerns and considering how this can be addressed in the management of the Grey Headed Flying-fox camps.