A population of 9000 flying foxes that once lived in relative isolation near Bomaderry Creek have moved closer to residential housing, near a wetland at Bomaderry.
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Two state government grants will help to address community concerns about the colony.
Shoalhaven City Council has been offered an additional $20,000 grant, on top of the $41,355 grant announced on May 22.
Both grants come from the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), the first under the Flying Foxes grants program, the second under the Environmental Trust grant program.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward said that with this $20,000 grant, council will now be able to undertake targeted community consultation and preparation of a flying-fox camp management plan for the camp at Brinawarr Street, Bomaderry.
“The OEH has been working closely with Shoalhaven City Council to support residents living adjacent to the camp to provide information and short and long-term mitigation strategies,” he said.
“OEH is now providing $20,000 to Council to undertake community consultation with residents that may be affected by the flying-foxes, and to prepare a flying-fox camp management plan to guide future actions.
“An additional $200,000 is also being committed to an innovative project that will map potential flying-fox roost sites close to communities across NSW that occur within 300 metres of human settlements.”
Wildlife Rescue South Coast volunteer Janine Davies welcomed the initial grant.
“We do realise not everyone is happy with the bat population,” Mrs Davies said.
“People don’t like the noise or the smell.
“We have been working hand in hand with the Office of Environment and Heritage and council to try and minimise the effect of flying foxes on the community.”
