Cessnock councillor Cordelia Troy has called for a practical solution to end the Hunter Region’s flying fox infestation.
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Cr Troy, who is running as an independent candidate for the federal seat of Hunter, has suggested using compressed-air popping guns to move the bat colonies on without doing any harm.
This method has proven effective in removing common starlings (a feral bird species) from vineyards and airports.
Cr Troy said it would be a ‘win-win’ situation if the popping guns worked, as it would move the bats out of the residential area at East Cessnock and allow the bushland to regenerate.
“It’s just sound; it won’t hurt them,” she said.
“(The trees) are completely shredded, no flora and fauna would survive in there, the trees need to be lopped to regenerate.”
Cr Troy said while flying foxes are an integral part of the ecosystem, the bushland has been destroyed by the bats, residents are suffering, and it is time for action.
“To leave the bats here would be disgraceful,” she said.
“If the government doesn’t do anything, they should buy up all of these houses, to relieve people of their suffering.
“People have lit fires over here, that’s a desperate measure, and I don’t blame them one bit.”
Cr Troy said the way the bat plague has been handled is a “classic example of bureaucracy in action”.
“A Senate inquiry is all well and good, but it moves the issue to a safe spot on the other side of the election; and how much would it cost?
“Cut the bloody bureaucracy and do something real to solve problems.”
