We recently visited the EG Waterhouse Camellia Gardens at Caringbah, after not having been there for some time.
We didn’t realise, and were horrified to find, that the garden has become a flying fox colony.
We were met with a cacophony of screeching, the air permeated with a foul smell as the bats flapped their wings in the heat of the day, and paths and grass covered with droppings.
We understand that council is trying to remove the colony but obviously whatever they are doing is not working.
Anyone who is considering taking their family to picnic in the gardens would be well advised to think again, or at least investigate it first.
The young mother we encountered on her way to picnic with her two small children turned around and left immediately she saw the bats, and the mess.
What a sad situation.
Our gardens were a place of serenity and beauty - the site of many a wedding and family gathering.
Now, nobody would consider holding their event in the midst of this revolting mess.
Janet La Riviere
