Batemans Bay Water Garden vegetation removal due to start Megabat Fruit Bat Flying foxes

Further vegetation will be removed from Monday night from the Batemans Bay Water Garden, as a preliminary step to dispersing the flying fox population

The work will begin on weeknights from May 30, from 7pm to 5am, when bats are in other areas feeding.

In the meantime, authorities are urging residents not to take matters into their own hands, suggesting random disruption of roosting bats could hinder a concerted dispersal effort.

Eurobodalla Shire Council’s acting General Manager Lindsay Usher said a coordinated response was needed, not illegal actions

“People taking matters into their own hands disturbs the flying foxes and can spread the problem by encouraging splinter camps to form nearby,” Mr Usher said.
“The flying foxes also become accustomed to the noise and disturbance, which will make these methods less effective in the dispersal the council is preparing for.”

Council has received an exemption from the Commonwealth Department of Environment to conduct non-lethal dispersal activities up to August1, 2016 and is applying for the required approval from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to disperse the bats.

The council has begun clearing vegetation near affected homes after receiving OEH approval.

“To accelerate the clearing work, night works will start next Monday and has been approved to take place on weeknights from 7pm to 5am when the bats have left the Water Gardens and Catalina camps to feed for the night,” Mr Usher said.

“We are letterbox-dropping residents in the affected areas today (Friday) to let them know about the night work, which could go on for four weeks,” said Mr Usher.

“In accordance with the approval requirements, a natural resource management officer will be onsite to supervise and monitor the flying foxes to ensure there is no adverse impact on them.”

Council is also seeking expressions of interest from people who are willing and capable of volunteering or working as casual flying fox dispersal officers. Visit www.esc.nsw.gov.au for more.