Vegetation clearing underway at flying fox roosts

Authorised clearing of vegetation around the flying fox camp at the Water Gardens in Batemans Bay got underway last night.

Eurobodalla Council has received the necessary permission from the NSW Government to remove trees and vegetation in preparation for an attempted dispersal of the flying foxes. Clearing will also start today in areas of Catalina.

Contractors and Council outdoor staff will work through the night from Monday to Thursday until the work is done. The clearing needs to be done at night when the bats have left the camp to feed.

Three machines known as groomers will grind trees from top to base, working in both the Water Gardens and Catalina. Another tree felling crew will be working in Catalina with chainsaws to fell trees in daylight hours to reduce roosting habitat close to residents.

Council's Director of Infrastructure Warren Sharpe says the work has been planned with a focus on comfort for residents and safety for workers.

"Our first objective is to undertake the works safely. The night-time work under lights is tricky and we will focus on the use of machinery only at night. Our first working area will be on the west side of the Water Gardens, removing trees and increasing the buffer to residents,” he said.

“We’ve planned this so we minimise the amount of work undertaken back to back during the day and night in one location to minimise the impact on adjoining residents. Likewise, the night work will take place in four 10-hour shifts from Monday to Thursday so the residents and flying foxes get some respite on the remaining three days.”

Mr Sharpe said the crews will focus on getting the trees down and cleaning up to make the area present well and be easy to maintain.

“I’ll be monitoring the flying fox movements and the camp, working closely with our environment team and government agencies to re-assess how much of the work we can move to day-time without disturbing roosting flying foxes. Day work opens up a wider range of options to undertake the work safely and is a better option for residents, too.”

"We really want to thank the nearby residents for their patience while we do these works to try to help them out," Mr Sharpe said.

Ear plugs are available free of charge for residents living near the Water Gardens and Catalina from the Batemans Bay Council Depot and the community centre.

Pictured: Mayor Lindsay Brown was onsite last night at the Water Gardens in Batemans Bay to thank Council’s contractors and staff for their commitment to working nights to clear vegetation in preparation for the flying fox dispersal.