Flying foxes: Armidale and Tamworth councils prepare for flying fox camps

But, Armidale Regional Council councillor Ian Tiley isn’t sure tree removal is enough.

“You’ve got to break the cycle, while ever there’s some trees remaining there they will come back and nest in close and it won’t solve the problem,” he said.

“In all probability what we’ll do is transfer the problem to somewhere else in the locality.

“But having said that, we have to try – this is a first step but I don’t think it’s the answer to the matter by any means, once September comes and they return you can’t do anything until the following April when they disperse.”

Council will waive fees for residents making applications for tree removal, and the OEH is expected to approve the camp management plan in August.

Tamworth Regional Council has battled a similar issue with the same $50,000 grant, and is continuing to monitor flying fox populations in the area.

The Peel River Camp is still a favourite for the bats, but this year numbers have lowered to between 500 and 1000 animals.

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Last year flying fox numbers spiked from 17,000 in March to 150,000 in June.

Tamworth Regional Council manager regulatory services Ross Briggs said while numbers are lower, council has continued to work with land owners to remove roosting habitats.

“Neither council staff nor experts from the NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage are able to predict whether the flying-foxes will return to Tamworth in large numbers like last year,” he said.

“It is thought perhaps the impact of the current dry weather in reducing the ability of trees and other food sources to flower may make Tamworth a less attractive location for flying-foxes this year.”

The OEH is developing a new code for flying fox management, and Tamworth council hopes it will result in a range of effective and humane management techniques being available without the need for a licence.

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