TAMWORTH Council has announced a new proposal to manage flying foxes.
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A strategy designed to encourage flying foxes towards the habitat on the western side of the Peel River away from the Tamworth CBD was expected to go before Tamworth council’s meeting on Tuesday.
The report recommends councillors endorse the Draft Flying-Fox Camp Management Plan – Peel River Camp to allow it to be put on public exhibition and give the community the chance to have its say about the future management of the protected species.
The draft plan identifies two major flying-fox camps on the Peel River adjacent to King George V Avenue and on land opposite Bicentennial Park.
Council says the plan was developed with the help of an expert consultant. Manager of regulatory services, Ross Briggs said community feedback revealed residents were concerned about the impact of flying foxes on highly populated areas.
“The Draft Flying-Fox Camp Management Plan particularly aims to address those concerns by reducing the roosting habitat in the King George V camp, to lessen the impacts on adjacent residents and to improve the habitat of the camp opposite Bicentennial Park on the southern side of the Peel River,” he said.
“It is believed that by encouraging the flying-foxes into the “park” camp (opposite Bicentennial Park) they will be protected by the water on both sides, so the camps should be more settled.
Work proposed under the draft management plan includes the removal of “roosting” trees along the Bicentennial Park riverbank, removal of weed species from the “park” camp site, bank stabilisation and weed control and habitat thinning at the King George V Avenue camp.
It also includes community education about the management plan and flying-foxes, plus the installation of signage.
The announcement of the plan followed a $50,000 state government grant announced on Friday. Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the grant would help Council to consider offering subsidies on products such as car, pool or washing line covers and on cleaning services.
“The problems faced with the flying-fox colony locally are well known, which is why it’s so important we help Tamworth Regional Council take these necessary prevention and restoration measures,” he said.