Council moves to clear flying fox vegetation

Eurobodalla Council expects to start clearing more vegetation at the Batemans Bay Water Gardens and around Catalina as early as next week in preparation for the flying fox dispersal attempt in winter.

Mayor Lindsay Brown confirmed that Council has today lodged the necessary application with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to allow the removal of trees and other vegetation that will increase the existing buffers between the flying fox camps and residents’ homes as Council gets ready to start dispersal activities. This follows Council’s work this week to clear vegetation where permitted around the Water Gardens.

“Council staff have worked closely with OEH to expedite the assessment process,” the Mayor said, “and as a result of this close working relationship, we expect to have an approval for the vegetation removal by the middle of next week. This means the clearing work could start as early as next week.”

The Mayor explained that while this first stage of work is underway, Council is simultaneously finalising the comprehensive dispersal plan.

“The final dispersal plan will respond to the feedback we have received from the community and from the OEH, who under NSW Government legislation are required approve our plan. This work is progressing as quickly as possible so that Council can commence the dispersal activities as soon as we can during winter.'

“I understand the impacts on people in our community as a result of the unprecedented number of flying foxes currently roosting in the Batemans Bay area.

“We are in uncharted waters here as we try to address this horrendous situation. We are going against all the professional advice but we still need to give this our best shot. Unprecedented impacts require an unprecedented response.

“For the dispersal to have a chance of working, we need to get the planning right, and that is what Council is doing right now in partnership with the OEH.

“This needs to be a coordinated response, and people taking things into their own hands will not help,” the Mayor said. “As well as being illegal, it makes matters worse for residents and can reduce the effectiveness of dispersal attempts because the flying fox become accustomed to the noise and disturbance. I am urging people to wait for the coordinated dispersal. We are moving as quickly as we can.”