Eurobodalla residents are being encouraged to complete a survey and outline their concerns, experiences and values about flying foxes.
Eurobodalla Council is developing a shire-wide flying fox management plan that will set out how Council will make future decisions about managing impacts of the species.
Council’s Director of Planning and Sustainability Lindsay Usher said the plan would allow Council to more readily respond in the future, while meeting legal requirements to conserve the threatened species and their local habitats.
“We know flying foxes have historically visited Eurobodalla and will keep returning seasonally,” Mr Usher said.
“We can’t predict how many will return each season as it is likely to change from year to year based on where food resources are. While we don’t expect to see a repeat of the 2016 numbers in Batemans Bay in the near future, it is possible new camps could establish throughout Eurobodalla due to our favourable habitat and food resources.
“The Eurobodalla Flying Fox Management Plan will help us be prepared, if and when that happens.”
Mr Usher urged all residents – whether they were impacted by flying foxes in the past or not - to complete the survey.
“The input from the survey will help us identify what management actions the community believe are most appropriate for our area and at what point we should carry them out,” he said.
“It does take about 15 minutes, however just by completing the survey you have the chance to win one of three gift vouchers valued up to $500.”
During April Council will be hosting drop-in sessions throughout Eurobodalla, where people can complete the survey and speak to Council’s Flying Foxes Natural Resources Officer. For more information on session locations and times, or to complete the survey online, visit www.esc.nsw.gov.au/haveyoursay and go to the “Flying fox management plan” page.
Hard copies of the survey are also available at Eurobodalla libraries, Council depots and at Council’s administration building in Moruya.
Meanwhile, Mr Usher said Council continued to monitor flying fox numbers across the shire.
“Although Eurobodalla’s flying fox population has fluctuated over the past few months, numbers across the Eurobodalla remain relatively low, with small camps at Batemans Bay Water Gardens, Catalina Country Club and Tuross Head,” he said.
“The vegetation buffer zones created in 2016 have helped keep a greater distance between homes and the roosting sites, minimising the impact on properties.”
Drop-in session details:
Apex Park, Narooma - Friday 6 April, 8-10am
Dalmeny Meet the Makers Markets - Sunday 8 April, 8am-1pm
Village Centre Batemans Bay - Tuesday 10 April, 10am-2pm
The Mossy Café, Mossy Point - Friday 13 April, 9-11.30am
Evans Park, Tuross Head - Friday 13 April, 12.30-2.30pm
Art on the Path, Broulee - Sunday 15 April, 7.30am-12.30pm
SAGE Farmers’ Market, Moruya - Tuesday 17 April, 2.30-4.30pm
Corrigans Reserve, Batehaven - Tuesday 17 April, 10am-12pm
Benny’s Nelligen Store, Nelligen - Wed 18 April, 9-11am
Maloneys Beach Café, Maloneys Beach - Wed 18 April, 12-2pm
NATA Oval, Narooma - Saturday 21 April, 2-4pm
Moruya Country Markets - Saturday 28 April, 7am-1pm
