Dispersal plan by next Friday, say Mayor

Eurobodalla Mayor Lindsay Brown says a draft flying fox dispersal plan will be ready by next Friday.

“I have instructed the General Manager to do whatever it takes to have the plan ready by next Friday,” Clr Brown said.

“This will give the community and Council an opportunity to look at the plan before it is submitted to the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage for their assessment.

“The dispersal plan is a legal requirement and will also need to be assessed and approved by the Australian Government’s Office of the Environment.

“There are still some steps to get through, but we’re pushing this as hard as we can.”

“Today I’ve met with the CEO of the Bay Soldiers Club and have his permission to clear the drain within the club’s land. Council crews will be in there soon to clear fell the vegetation on the drain.

“I want residents to understand that Council is not permitted to clear any trees or drain the Water Gardens where it forms part of the flying fox camp. Any such clearing would be subject to government approvals similar to the dispersal process and will be looked at as part of the preparation of the draft dispersal plan.

“I have also been in touch with Essential Energy, who are doing their best to overcome the power outages caused by the flying foxes. Unlike birds landing on powerlines, the flying foxes have a wingspan that can touch two wires, causing the outages. Essential Energy have assured me they are working hard to re-route the local electricity network to minimise the number of people affected by outages.

“People who would like to hear from experts about managing the flying fox population and to discuss the draft dispersal plan should come along to the information session on Monday 16 May at the Bay Soldiers Club, 5-7pm.”