Nambucca's flying fox debate imminent
The rainforest canopy at Nambucca Heads has been stripped of foliage by a flying fox colony
EARLY November is the possible date for the debate on the impact of flying foxes in urban areas in the NSW Legislative Assembly.
A petition, which originated in Maclean in May and was signed by more than 10,000 residents from Port Macquarie to Casino, was tabled in September but as yet remains unscheduled.
Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis, who launched the petition, said bureaucrats continued to ignore the impact of colonies on local communities.
“You are not permitted to have 20,000 domestic animals such as dogs, cats or poultry in urban areas because of health risks yet the same number of flying foxes is acceptable to government agencies,” Mr Gulaptis said.
“We want a clear directive from government that people are more important than bats ... we want a simple solution to a problem made complex by bureaucracy.”
Currently legislation that protects the endangered grey-headed flying fox prevents the physical removal of flying fox colonies from urban areas.
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