Delma Buczko is in the poo, bat poo that is.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
For four years, Ms Buczko has been fighting to get a flying fox colony behind her property moved-on, or the bamboo that they nest in removed, to no avail.
“The back yard and roof get covered in bat poo and there is a constant smell from the flying-fox camp that is unbearable,” said Ms Buczko.
In October last year, The Macleay Argus reported that the NSW environment minister Rob Stokes announced a new strategy to minimise the impacts of flying-fox camps around populated areas.
“The policy encourages councils to prepare camp management plans for sites where there is a high level of impact on the community,” Mr Stokes said.
However, four months on, Ms Buczko said there has been no action, and none looked likely.
“I have gone to the council and they sent me to Nationals member for Oxley, Andrew Stoner, and he sent me back to the council,” Ms Buczko said.
“No one wants to take responsibility, and I have had enough.”
Kempsey Shire Council director of infrastructure services Robert Scott said the council made enquiries with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) concerning the process involved in dispersing the colony.
“The advice received from OEH was that the council would need to prepare a Plan of Management for the approval of OEH.,” Mr Scott said.
“The OEH further advised that in support of the Plan of Management (PoM) involving dispersal of the colony, it was likely that a Species Impact Statement would be required. The council sought a quote to prepare the PoM in accordance with OEH guidelines, with an estimate of $115,000 to $145,000 provided.”
Mr Scott said that under the current policy, the OEH says it is unlikely requests to permit dispersal of camps will be approved.
“However, if approval was to be granted, it would be necessary to detail the method of dispersal, which shall not result in stress to the flying foxes,” Mr Scott said
“The cost of dispersal actions has not been determined, as the method would need to be determined and approved by OEH.”
Mr Scott added that enquiries were also made to OEH about the process involved in removing the bamboo if the colony dispersed of its own accord.
“The advice received from OEH is that the vegetation would still be deemed to be habitat within the meaning of the policy and therefore a PoM would still be required,” said Mr Scott.
"Even if successful in obtaining OEH approval, it is noted that the grey-headed flying fox is also listed as an endangered species under federal legislation, thereby requiring dual approvals under separate processes.”
