Share Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven on FacebookShare Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven on TwitterShare Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven on LinkedinEmail Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven link
Shoalhaven City Council is working closely with local and national experts to determine a flying-fox management approach that balances the conservation of these important native animals and the amenity of residents, businesses and visitors.
Flying-foxes play a crucial role in the Australian eco-system by being one of the most efficient pollinators and seed dispersers of native Australian forest trees. They can fly long distances each night (up to 50 kilometres) distributing pollen and seeds throughout the forests and vegetation of the South Coast. Flying-foxes are a keystone species as they are vital in maintaining ecosystem diversity and health.
Shoalhaven City Council is working closely with local and national experts to determine a flying-fox management approach that balances the conservation of these important native animals and the amenity of residents, businesses and visitors.
Flying-foxes play a crucial role in the Australian eco-system by being one of the most efficient pollinators and seed dispersers of native Australian forest trees. They can fly long distances each night (up to 50 kilometres) distributing pollen and seeds throughout the forests and vegetation of the South Coast. Flying-foxes are a keystone species as they are vital in maintaining ecosystem diversity and health.
There are plenty of myths around about flying-foxes and how they interact with humans. Take a look at Council's Flying-fox Fact Sheet and Flying-fox Baby Season Poster to understand more about the role of bats in the environment and how they choose to interact with people.
There is evolving research on flying-foxes aimed at developing a better understanding of their ecology, behaviour, movements and population trends to inform management strategies and conservation efforts.
More information on flying-fox research in Australia can be found at the following links:
A Bomaderry flying-fox camp management plan is being prepared by Council in partnership with the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH).
The plans’ objectives are to enable land owners and other stakeholders to use a range of suitable management responses to manage flying-foxes and to better understand the effects of flying-foxes on people.
The Plan aims to educate and better inform the local community about the benefits and importance of flying-foxes, and to conserve and protect (as required by law) flying-foxes and their habitat.
Thank you to those who expressed interest in attending a Flying-fox
Educational Talk. The talk is an exciting opportunity to get involved with our
flying-foxes and observe the spectacle that is the ‘fly out event’ on dusk.
Council has now set the date for four events to take place and
is asking those who have expressed interest to nominate their preferred date. As
space and parking is limited, the group size for each event will also be
limited.
Location:
The Educations Talk will take place at the reserve on the corner of Illaroo Road and
Princes Highway, Bomaderry - where there are 10 car parking lots, around 200m
from the intersection.
Share Educational Talk - Choose Your Prefered Event Date on FacebookShare Educational Talk - Choose Your Prefered Event Date on TwitterShare Educational Talk - Choose Your Prefered Event Date on LinkedinEmail Educational Talk - Choose Your Prefered Event Date link
Page last updated: 24 Oct 2022, 01:43 PM
Follow Project
Stay informed
Subscribe for project updates
Timeline of Council Actions
January/February 2018
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
Council observes unprecedented incursion of flying-foxes at Brinawarr St, Bomaderry
22 Feb: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and Council door knock residents surrounding the Bomaderry camp to listen to concerns, provide information and advice on disease risk, food sources, threatened species status, seasonal movements and mitigation measures
April 2018
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
12 Apr: OEH and Council door knock local residents regarding the Kangaroo Valley flying-fox camp
May 2018
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
Council submits an extensive grant application to Local Government NSW (LG NSW) for a flying-fox Stream 1 Grant (successful)
Council applies to OEH for a Threatened Species Licence needed to undertake management actions
June 2018
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
Council receives funding from OEH for development of a Flying-fox Management Plan for the Brinawarr St Camp
Council commences information campaign and designs interpretive sign
July 2018
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
5-6 Jul: Council removes eight spotted gums overhanging a dwelling previously used by roosting flying-foxes. The works aimed to create a three-metre buffer with the western boundary of the Bolong Road property to reduce the amount of faecal droppings in the yard and problems arising from odour and noise.
16-24 Jul: Council bush regeneration workers target problem weeds at the wetlands area of the Brinawarr St camp. Approx. 300 scented plants planted in the tree removal area to provide a ‘scented screen’ for adjacent residents.
August 2018
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
1 Aug: Council staff undertake a large door knock service in area surrounding the Brinawarr St camp and distributed letters regarding the LG NSW Grant, and how to contact Council if goods such as high-pressure spray nozzles, portable AC units, car or clothesline covers are required to mitigate impacts from the camp.
21 Aug: Council undertakes follow-up bush regeneration work to target missed weeds and water planted trees at Brinawarr St camp.
22 Aug: Council and OEH undertake Flying-fox Management Plan information planning session
September 2018
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
4 Sep: Council meets with facilitator to develop Community Engagement Plan and key outcomes to feed into the Management Plan
5 Sep: Goods required by residents (under the LG NSW Grant) purchased and ordered
7 Sep: Follow-up bush regeneration work to water plants and assess plant loss
17 Sep: Shoalhaven Flying-fox Camp Survey opens
18 Sep, 10.30am: Bat Chat community engagement and installation of interpretive signage at Brinawarr St
Late Sep: Plant replacement
October 2018
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
16 Oct, 4-6pm: Community engagement event at Bomaderry Community Centre
November 2018
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
13 Nov: Shoalhaven Flying-fox Camp Survey closes
January 2019
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
Council observes an increase of flying-foxes at the Brinawarr Street Camp and undertakes regular surveys.
4 Jan: Council door knock local residents regarding the flying-fox camp.
June 2019
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
DPIE and SCC became aware of a new GHFF camp in three private properties in Kentia Crescent and Sabal Close, Berry. During the 2019-2020 summer, the numbers of flying-foxes increased, rising to more than 5000 by late January 2020 and spreading across at least 15 private properties. The entire camp is located on private property.
24 October 2019
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven has finished this stage
Council receives funding from Local Government NSW to manage the Flying-fox camp at Berry.
April 2020
Flying-foxes in the Shoalhaven is currently at this stage
Kentia Crescent/Sabal Close Flying-fox Vegetation Management Action Plan 2020 developed by Council and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
