Have Your Say - Flying Fox Community Survey

Published on 01 February 2021

Gilgandra Shire Council is inviting community feedback to help inform development of a Flying Fox Management Plan.

A population of flying foxes that had returned to Gilgandra in late 2020 have now moved on, however, Council is keen to hear from the community and other stakeholders on their experiences while the flying fox camp was in the area. This will assist with future management of these camps.

Flying-foxes are protected in New South Wales by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and a plan must be developed prior to implementing any management actions.

General Manager David Neeves says that while the camp moved on as part of their migratory nature, Council is developing a Flying Fox Management Plan to assist with identifying possible options should they return.

“The red flying foxes returned in larger numbers in late 2020 than in previous years and were prevalent in the Gilgandra Swimming Pool and Hunter Park grounds. While their movements cannot be predicted from year to year, their choice of camp location led Council in late 2020 to resolve to take steps to displace them in accordance with environmental management control plans.”

Adding

“To comply with current legislation, Council must first develop a plan of management which involves consultation with local stakeholders. Feedback from the community will assist in developing an action plan to manage flying foxes in the future, of which there are a range of options in managing flying fox camps, and we encourage residents to complete this survey.”

To find out more or to complete the short survey, visit Council’s website www.gilgandra.nsw.gov.au.

Council is also working with Department of Environment and Heritage to develop the Plan and will be referred to a future Council meeting for adoption.

This community consultation process closes Tuesday, 16 February 2021.

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Media Contact:        
Kathryn Larkin
Marketing & Communications Manager
council@gilgandra.nsw.gov.au

  

 

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