$2.5 million for flying fox dispersal

Mayor Lindsay Brown says the NSW Government announcement of $2.5 million to commence flying fox dispersal activities once a plan is approved is welcome news.

Member for Bega Andrew Constance and NSW Premier Mike Baird announced the funding would be available once a dispersal plan is approved during an inspection of the flying fox camp at the Water Gardens on Monday.

“Councillors were unanimous that Eurobodalla ratepayers should not bear all the burden of dispersal costs and I congratulate and thank Mr Constance for offering this money to Council so that we can attempt to address the distress being suffered by some of our community in Batemans Bay.  The behaviour of Grey Headed Flying Foxes is unpredictable and we are aware that dispersal is difficult, costly and often not successful, but we have to address the situation. This money will help fund the dispersal and give it the best chance of success.

“Our council continues to work closely with the Office of Environment and Heritage to finalise the dispersal plan that Council is required to prepare and submit for approval.  The draft is on exhibition until 27 May and feedback received from the community must be included and considered in the final plan. Once this is approved by Council it will immediately be submitted to the NSW Government and with the support of the Office of Environment and Heritage and Minister Andrew Constance, we expect it to be approved very quickly.

“We have also been pleased to hear from the Office of Environment and Heritage that the flying fox numbers are continuing to reduce and their roosting areas are getting smaller. They predict this will continue as the cooler weather prevails and the eucalypts finish flowering, shrinking the flying fox food supply. The fewer flying foxes we need to actively disperse the better, so this is very welcome information.”