Council moves on winter dispersal plan Megabat Fruit Bat Flying foxes

Council moves on winter dispersal plan Megabat Fruit Bat Flying foxes

Eurobodalla Shire Councillors have on Tuesday agreed to move to disperse the Batemans Bay flying fox camps in winter, not in summer as a draft plan recommended.

This follows a heated community meeting in Batemans Bay on Monday evening.

Mayor Lindsay Brown said councillors were in agreement to do everything possible to have the dispersal works undertaken in winter.

“If it doesn't happen in winter, it certainly won't be because of this council,” he said.

He also welcomed the announcement from Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt that he would remove any federal government obstacles to approve the dispersal and pledge $50,000 toward the action.
Cr Brown said councillors would discuss the next step toward the dispersal attempt as soon as possible.

He is now calling on Member for Bega Andrew Constance to mirror the federal government’s actions at a NSW government level to assist the Eurobodalla community.

"I have this morning at 9am applied to Mr Hunt's department for a national interest exemption, which means that council will not have to obtain approval from the Australian Government to disperse flying foxes,” Cr Brown said.

"I thank minister Hunt for his commitment to remove the legislative impediment facing the council, and for understanding this issue is a bigger one than Eurobodalla Council can manage alone.

“Andrew Constance’s commitment to provide NSW Government funding for the flying fox dispersal is also very welcome, however, I call on Mr Constance to do what he can to remove the NSW Government impediments that delay and constrain the council’s ability to disperse the flying foxes.

“I am hopeful the federal government will match any commitment from the NSW Government beyond Mr Hunt’s announcement of $50,000 last night.

"I also call on my councillor colleagues to support me and our community to implement an active dispersal as soon as we get NSW Government approval."

Clr Brown said the outcome of last night's meeting was a big step forward for the council in managing the flying fox problem.

"This is an unprecedented and terrible situation for our community and I've said all along we needed help from all levels of government. That help is now coming,” he said.

"I am pleased that both the NSW and Australian Governments have now responded positively to my requests for a collaborative response to this dreadful challenge facing our community."

• Council moves on winter dispersal plan