The Australian Government has announced a short inquiry into the management of flying foxes in the eastern states of Australia. Eurobodalla Council will be making a submission based on its recent experiences.
Federal inquiry into flying fox management
Councils in New South Wales were informed yesterday that the Australian Government will conduct a short inquiry into the management of flying foxes in the eastern states of Australia.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy is accepting written submissions by this Friday, 18 November, and will focus on how the species can be managed at a regional scale, how flying foxes are listed and delisted as a threatened species, streamlining regulations, and the success of management actions such as dispersal.
Mayor Liz Innes says despite the short timeframe, Eurobodalla Shire Council will be making a submission to the inquiry based on its experiences to date.
“Our staff have started work right away to make a submission, with the focus on our recent experience and the impact on our community with the flying foxes in Batemans Bay earlier this year.”
“Any changes to managing the species and regulatory frameworks could have significant impacts on the way Council approaches the management of flying foxes in Eurobodalla in the future,” she said.
“This inquiry could be of immense significance to us and to other local government areas facing the challenges of managing flying foxes in urban and residential areas.
“Eurobodalla Council has clearly learned some valuable lessons during the dispersal project and we will certainly be advocating on behalf of our community to ensure these lessons are not forgotten.
“If our experience can help other communities deal with the impacts of flying foxes then we welcome the opportunity to be part of this inquiry.”
The committee’s terms of reference are:
the circumstances and process by which flying-foxes are listed and delisted as threatened species at both the state and Commonwealth levels
the interaction between the state and Commonwealth regulatory frameworks
strategic approaches to managing species at a regional scale
opportunities to streamline the regulation of flying-fox management
the success or otherwise of management actions, such as dispersal of problematic flying fox camps.
Individuals are also welcome to make submissions against one or more of the terms of reference. All details available:http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Environment_and_Energy/Flyingfoxmanagement
