http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-06-12/lorn-flying-fox-plan-ready-to-go/4065220/?site=newcastle Maitland Council ready to get star...
Maitland Council ready to get started on a plan to rid Lorn of a flying fox colony.
Maitland Council will start work on removing a flying fox population from Lorn as soon as possible if a plan of works is adopted at tonight's meeting.
Last month Council endorsed the Lorn Flying Fox Management Strategy in the wake of complaints from residents about the smell and noise from thousands of bats.
The plan of works includes short, medium and long-term strategies for the bats' removal.
Council General Manager David Evans says pruning the trees is the first step.
"Modifying the habitat, that would involve lopping of trees but in some cases the complete removal of trees," he said.
"We intend to move as quickly as we can to carry out the work because even if they leave there is no certainty the flying foxes won't return.
"To expedite that we have been in close contact with the Office of Environment and Heritage to make sure they are well positioned to assist us."
Mr Evans says if the plan is adopted work to prune and remove some trees will begin as soon as possible.
"The longer-term options are more about creating an alternative habitat so it's really tree planting because you've got a period of five or 10 years for those trees to reach maturity," he said.
"It's a case of finding a suitable location where we can carry out that planting and hopefully do it in a way that holds some appeal for the flying foxes."
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