There are less than two weeks left for Eurobodalla residents to fill out a survey about their concerns and experiences with flying foxes and help Eurobodalla Council plan for future management of the species.
The flying fox is an unpredictable animal, and while we know they’ll be back in Eurobodalla, we don’t know how many, or where they will camp. Eurobodalla Council is trying to plan for all scenarios by preparing a shire-wide Flying Fox Management Plan that will allow it to more readily respond and help residents who may be impacted by flying foxes in the future.
It’s an issue not limited to Batemans Bay, as there is favourable flying fox habitat and food resources located right throughout Eurobodalla.
All Eurobodalla residents – whether impacted by flying foxes in the past or not – are being encouraged to complete the survey and in the process have the chance to win one of three gift vouchers, valued up to $500.
Council’s Environmental Services Manager Deb Lenson said there had been a great response from the community so far at drop-in sessions held throughout the shire this month.
“The community is showing interest and it’s good to see people involved in this process even if they aren’t directly affected,” she said.
“Even if you’ve never been impacted by flying foxes, it is entirely possible a camp could establish near you in the future. That’s why it’s so important everyone has a say.”
Ms Deb Lenson said flying foxes had historically visited Eurobodalla seasonally however the influx into Batemans Bay in 2016 was unexpected and largely due to an unusual flowering event of spotted gum trees.
“We don’t know whether Eurobodalla will experience another large influx, but if we do, we want to be prepared,” she said.
“Residents have told us in the past that living near a large number of flying foxes is difficult as they can be noisy, smelly and damage property. We need the community to fill out the online survey to help us identify what actions Council should take to reduce these impacts, and at what point we should carry them out.”
The survey is available via Council’s website www.esc.nsw.gov.au/haveyoursay. People interested in being involved further with the management plan’s development need to complete the survey as a first step.
Hard copy surveys are also available at Eurobodalla libraries, Council depots and at Council’s administration building in Moruya. For more information, or to complete the survey, visit www.esc.nsw.gov.au/haveyoursay and go to the “Flying fox management plan” page.
Above: Anne Spencer and Kate Brusse from Nelligen chat with Council’s Flying Fox Officer Mitchell Jarvis about creating a shire-wide Flying Fox Management Plan. Media Release
