THE grey-headed flying fox camp at Kareela may be dispersed as a matter of urgency — at a cost of more than $660,000 — due to health concerns.
With flying fox numbers at the camp rising to more than 18,000, there are fears for the health of students at the adjacent Sylvanvale School.
Sutherland Shire mayor Steve Simpson outlined the proposal in a mayoral minute this week and said all attempts to contain and manage the camp had failed.
The risk to students at nearby schools now required immediate action, Councillor Simpson said.
The roosting flying foxes have spread into areas of Sylvanvale, Aspect Autism and the adjoining residential area and are staying beyond the time they traditionally vacate the camp.
A dead flying fox was recently found in the Bates Drive School playground.
"Residents of the area, staff and students from Sylvanvale and the special school have, over the past six years, experienced a range of unacceptable impacts, including noise, smell and bat droppings from the adjacent camp," Cr Simpson said.
"Health concerns exist due to the risk of infection to students with learning and other disabilities that place them at greater risk than other members of the community."
The council had a three-step plan of management for the flying fox camp. The first two steps, management and creating an increased buffer between the camp and adjoining properties through the removal of vegetation, had failed. Step three is dispersal of the camp and cannot be carried out until the council can satisfy the state government that steps one and two failed to reduce adverse affects on the community.
Dispersing the camp will cost $669,000 over two years. The council will write to state and federal MPs requesting money.
Without significant financial assistance from both state and federal governments it was unlikely the council could afford to take action, Cr Simpson said.
The NSW Office and Environment and Heritage confirmed it favoured managing the camp, as outlined in the plan.
"Despite this I feel that the risk to students and users of the special educational facilities at Kareela is such that immediate action must be undertaken and the dispersal application process must commence now," Cr Simpson said.
MP COLLIER WEIGHS IN
THE mayoral minute regarding flying foxes came after moves by Miranda MP Barry Collier to resolve the problem.
Mr Collier raised the matter in state parliament on May 8 and criticised the council for not going further. He subsequently took his concerns to new Environment Minister Rob Stokes.
Liberal MPs from Sutherland Shire also agreed to join in bipartisan efforts to get the colony dispersed.
‘‘The colony of disease-carrying bats is located not just near residents’ homes but within metres of Bates Drive School, Sylvanvale Foundation, ASPECT (Autism Spectrum) and Mikaree Child Care Centre,’’ Mr Collier told parliament.
‘‘These cater for children with special and significant needs, both physical and intellectual.
‘‘I cannot overemphasise to the house the danger and very serious ever-present threat to the health and well-being of these vulnerable young children posed by flying foxes that carry the lyssavirus, which is similar to rabies.’’
Mr Collier said he received a letter from mayor Steve Simpson on February 14 which stated the council decided not to disperse the camp for a variety of reasons.
The council had instead decided on a series of measures, including netting and screening, none of which resolved the long-term problem.
Mr Collier said he attended a council working party meeting on May 5 where it was the view of those present that ‘‘step one of council’s proposed ‘three-step’ plan of management will be ineffective and unrealistic’’.
Cr Simpson denied his mayoral minute was a response to Mr Collier’s actions.
He said every mayor since 2009 had wanted the colony dispersed but knew that if the first two steps were not taken, approval would not be given by state and federal governments to disperse the colony.
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