Steps towards solving batty situation

Councillors supported a notice of motion by Cr. Morgan Campbell at last Wednesday’s meeting for council to communicate its willingness to work with the State Government to create and implement a management plan to move grey-headed flying foxes from East Cessnock, but make it clear that it does not presently have the resources to produce such a plan.

The motion asked council to note a petition signed by local residents, and forward copies of the petition to the Department of Primary Industries and Department of Environ­ment and Heritage.

Council will also contact Maitland City Council and ask how they solved the flying fox problem at Lorn.

 “The residents of East Cessnock are demanding action to resolve the issue of bats in their area, and we must support them,” Cr. Campbell said.

“The only way to do this is to make completely clear to the State Government just how big an issue this is, and the many consequences it has for the community.

“The petition I will present makes clear how strongly people feel about this issue, which is a question of public health and hygiene at the very least.

“It also has consequences for the nearby primary school, residents’ comfort and property values.

“Council does not have the expertise or financial capacity to put in place a management plan on its own, so we must again ask for the State Government’s assistance.”

Greens councillor James Ryan voted against the motion and asked if the management plan was a way to get rid of flying foxes.

“We have cleared too much of their habitat. Will we identify what is a good habitat for flying foxes?”

Cr. Ryan said Cessnock Council should ask other councils how they have dealt with the problem, citing the example of Bellingen, where the bat colony is a tourist attraction.

Cr. Campbell said the intention of the management plan would be to attempt to find a way to re-home the flying foxes.