Joint statement on Batemans Bay flying fox colony

The Federal Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis, State Member for Bega Andrew Constance and Mayor of the Eurobodalla Lindsay Brown, will be delivering a whole of government response to the crisis facing residents effected by the Grey Head Flying Fox colony in Batemans Bay.

The community of the Eurobodalla Shire is united and determined in our efforts to address the environmental crisis causing unimaginable distress for many residents and businesses.

We are warning people that we may be in for a long and difficult process to alleviate the pain and suffering facing many in our community as a result of the formation of one of the largest ever recorded colonies in an urban environment in the nation’s history.

We are in unchartered territory dealing with the formation of a colony at such unprecedented levels, with estimates well in excess of 100,000 animals. Nobody should underestimate the magnitude of the challenge before us.

For this reason we do not have all of the answers and are all working together to try and find solutions.

We recognise that for many this has become a crisis situation as a result of either living in close proximity to the bats, financial loss to their business and/or property or the ongoing power outage causing extreme difficulties for many.

Our immediate focus is community welfare by engaging agencies across all three tiers of Government to assist in a better co-ordinated response.

People’s welfare is of the utmost priority and we are urging everybody to follow the public health warnings that will continue to be issued. It is vital that people follow all the necessary procedures, especially when dealing in personal contact with the flying foxes.

We are also worried about the level of distress caused by anxiety and depression, which we believe is affecting some in the community. We are urging people to contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or their local doctor as soon as possible.

Last Friday Andrew Constance co-ordinated all relevant NSW government agencies, including Eurobodalla Shire Council, to discuss a whole of government response to address community welfare.

The agencies involved include NSW Southern Health District, Essential Energy, Local Land Services, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, Council, along with the Federal MP for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis and Mayor Lindsay Brown.

Federal Minister Greg Hunt has also been engaged and the Commonwealth Department for the Environment be involved with assisting on approving Council’s dispersal plan.

People need accurate and timely information and this will now be centrally co-ordinated through the Council’s website.

We applaud Council management for bringing forward a draft dispersal plan this week for Councillor consideration at their next meeting.

It is also important to recognise and thank in particular all three councillors in attendance at the very difficult Council meeting last Wednesday evening. Councillor Innes and Leslight, as the two local Councillors, need to be recognised for their advocacy.

We have been and will continue to spearhead a community response. Attempting dispersal is a first and utmost priority and unfortunately the process isn’t as simple as we would all want.

We will work together following completion and Councillor approval of the dispersal plan on expediting the Commonwealth and State approval process and sourcing the necessary financial resources to attempt it.