Community has two weeks to comment on flying fox dispersal plan

Eurobodalla Council voted yesterday to provide a two-week consultation period for the community to have their say about whether or not to attempt to disperse the Batemans Bay flying fox camp.

A draft flying fox dispersal plan, prepared by ecological consultants EcoLogical, is now open for public comment and Mayor Lindsay Brown is urging residents to read the plan and understand the options and the risks before commenting.

Residents can write, email or respond online until close of business on Friday 27 May to express their views about if and when dispersal is a suitable response to the unprecedented numbers of flying foxes currently in Batemans Bay.

As part of the community consultation, a telephone survey will be conducted starting 23 May with 600 Eurobodalla residents selected randomly to provide their views about the dispersal plan. Results of the survey, to be conducted by Micromex, will contribute to the feedback Council will consider before making a decision on the dispersal plan.

Preliminary feedback about the draft plan will also be sought from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and the Australian Department of Environment. Clr Brown explained that both agencies are required to review any final dispersal plan, with OEH providing the necessary legal assessment, approval, and operational conditions.

The Mayor is also writing to Eurobodalla’s community organisations and Chambers of Commerce to ask them to review and comment on the draft dispersal plan.

Meanwhile, a second scientific report outlining management options is expected later this week. Clr Brown says he requested a ‘second opinion’ to make sure the community receives as much evidence-based information as necessary to make informed choices.

“There has never been a more important time for the Eurobodalla community to voice their view. To some in the community it may seem futile to spend more than $6 million - regardless of whether that is Council or NSW or Australian government money - on a dispersal that scientists and those experienced in dispersal are telling us will not work. The dispersal plan and expert advice from ecologists recommends that for the highest chance of success, we wait until February when the size of the camp has decreased naturally. The costs will of course be lower at that time. I want the community to consider this carefully.

“I hope residents will take the time to look at the plan, read about the risks and unpredictable outcomes that dispersal poses, such as where the flying foxes will make their new camp, and make informed comment.”

Councillors also voted to erect signs at the Water Gardens in an attempt to stop people disrupting the flying foxes and creating more impact on nearby residents. Additionally, vegetation will be cleared behind the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club on Monday to help stop the flying fox habitat spreading to that area.

Eurobodalla Council voted yesterday for a two week consultation to hear from the community and government agencies about if and when a dispersal is a suitable response to the unprecedented number of flying foxes in Batemans Bay.