Background
Cannes Reserve contains remnant Spotted Gum Forest and Littoral Rainforest species; both Endangered Ecological Communities (EEC), and a colony of Grey-headed Flying-fox. The Grey-headed Flying-fox has occupied the site for the past 10 years with numbers remaining stable at approximately 200 animals until early in 2010. Since that time and until June 2010, numbers rose to approximately 1500, then declined again, to remain relatively stable at 350 to 400 animals.
The Office of Environment & Heritage (OEH) is responsible under theNational Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974 for protecting all flying-foxes on public and private land. The OEH administers threatened species legislation and promotes species recovery. The OEH controls the management of the two EEC's at Cannes Reserve and, hence indirectly, the Grey-headed Flying-fox camp through a licence system that requires approval before works can be carried out. The OEH does not have a direct management role in carrying out the work.
The management of the Grey-headed Flying-fox colony is complex and a working group has been formed to discuss issues as they arise. The OEH are represented on the working group.
The most appropriate time to carry out work near a Grey-headed Flying-fox camp is between May to July, when the numbers are at their lowest and before the birthing season.
In July 2010 and again in 2011, Pittwater Council undertook selective tree removal works on the edges of Cannes and Gunyah Reserves. Non-indigenous and invasive weed species were targeted. The works were undertaken in an attempt to reduce the negative impacts of the Grey-headed Flying-fox where they were roosting in very close proximity to residences. The works were carried out under a section 95 licence under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995. A Species Impact Statement is currently being prepared for Cannes Reserve.
It is important to note that any works at the reserve may result in the Grey-headed Flying-fox moving to surrounding properties either temporarily or permanently. Research has shown that the Grey-headed Flying-fox usually return to the same site and the same roost trees over time so the expectation is there will be no long-term change in the population. However, the behaviour of the flying-fox can be unpredictable.
If you would like to know more about the licence process and legislation, information is available from the following link:
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspecies/S91TscaLicenceForm.htm
You can also view the licence applications from this link by clicking on the public licence register tab. Each time a licence application is being submitted to the Office of Environment and Heritage, residents may send a submission to the Director General at the relevant OEH office. There is a link to this office in the licence register next to the date that the licence applications were received by the OEH.
More information: phone 9970 1365 or email lavinia_schofield@pittwater.nsw.gov.au
- Minutes from public meeting May 2010 ( backup pdf )
- Further information on the Grey-headed Flying Fox
- Relocation of flying foxes from Royal Botanic Gardens
- Update - May 2011: Proposed relocation of Flying Fox in Royal Botanic Gardens postponed
- Public health information for Hendra virus
- Biosecurity - Queensland Government
- s91 application to OEH
- s95 certificate granting permission to conduct selective tree pruning & removal at Cannes Reserve (DECCW)
LICENCE TO HARM A THREATENED SPECIES, POPULATION OR ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY
A licence may be required under section 91 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 if an action is likely to result in:
harm to, or picking of, a threatened species, population or ecological community;
damage to critical habitat; or
damage to a habitat of a threatened species, population or ecological community.
APPLYING FOR A SECTION 91 LICENCE
- Download the licence application form(S91ApplicationForm.pdf, 70 KB)
- Download the licence application form(S91ApplicationForm.doc, 526 KB)
When OEH receives a section 91 licence application form, we will assess the proposed action to determine whether it is likely to have a significant impact on threatened species in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. There are a number of possible outcomes:
If OEH determines the proposed action is likely to have a significant effect on threatened species populations or ecological communities, a species impact statement will be requested when making a licence application determination.
OEH could determine that the proposed action is not likely to significantly affect threatened species, populations or ecological communities, and could issue a certificate to this effect under section 95 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act.
OEH could grant a licence under section 91 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act, with or without conditions, if the proposed action:
is not likely to have an adverse effect on a threatened species, population or ecological community, such that a viable local population of the species is likely to be placed at risk of extinction.
is not likely to damage or have an adverse effect on a critical habitat.
OEH could refuse the application.
Some applications can take longer to process than others, due to the nature of the proposed actions. Applications being processed are marked as 'pending' in the public register (see below).
PUBLIC REGISTER
View the section 91 public register to see scanned copies of all applications, licences and certificates. A hard copy of this register is also available in the OEH library at our Sydney CBD Head Office.
MORE INFORMATION
To find out more about section 91 licences and the licence application process:
View the Threatened Species Conservation Act
Contact your nearest office of DECCW's Environment Protection and Regulation Division.
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