Successful Flying-Fox grant applications

Successful Flying-Fox grant applications

Cessnock City Council is pleased to announce that it has secured $95,000 in grant funding through Local Government NSW (LGNSW) to continue the implementation of the East Cessnock Flying-Fox Camp Management Plan.  

Earlier in the year Council applied for four separate grants through LGNSW, to aid residents living around the flying-fox colony, located on Crown Land in East Cessnock.  

The funding secured will be allocated as follows:     

$15,000 in subsidy funding for residents within 500m of the flying-fox camp to apply for funding for purchase of clothes dryers $15,000 of subsidy funding for residents within 300m of the flying-fox camp to apply for funding for purchase of air conditioners $15,000 to review and update the East Cessnock Flying-Fox Camp Management Plan $50,000 to undertake site vegetation works involving weed removal.A vegetation analysis and preparation of a concept design for potential habitat augmentation of nearby land to create habitat to encourage the flying-fox to move away from the residential area.   

Council’s Director Planning and Environment, Gareth Curtis, acknowledged residents for their resilience and perseverance.  

“It’s great to be able to provide subsidies to alleviate the impact on residents who live close to the camp. Whilst flying-foxes play an important part in our ecological environment, the proximity to residents has had profound impact on their lives. The subsidies secured by Council are for dryers and air conditioners to alleviate some of the problems associated with faeces. Council will continue to look for opportunities to support residents and provide practical solutions for those living near the camp.”  

Since 2016 Council has attracted $160,000 in funding for the management of flying-foxes in the region.  

To learn more about the Flying-Fox Camp and Management Plan visit https://bit.ly/2L7kHdc.