The approval of the Grey-Headed Flying Fox Camp Management Plans for Macquarie Fields and Campbelltown has enabled Council to commence work on measures to protect the colonies as well as help to manage the impacts that the colonies have on nearby residents.
Grey-headed flying foxes are a protected species and play an important role in dispersing seeds and pollinating flowering plants including many Eucalyptus species that other animals such as koalas rely on.
As part of the Macquarie Fields camp management plan, Council will investigate options to establish a residential assistance program to help nearby residents better co-exist with flying foxes.
"Flying foxes are a vital part of our natural ecosystem so it's important that we take these actions to ensure they are able to continue enhancing our precious local environment," Mayor George Brticevic said.
"We understand that living near a flying fox colony comes with its challenges which is why we will be investigating a variety of ways to ensure people and flying foxes can better coexist," Cr Brticevic said.
Actions included in the plans include community education, on ground works to restore riparian vegetation and investigations into measures to create a buffer between the Macquarie Fields flying fox colony and the adjoining houses.
