It was decided at Tuesday’s council meeting that the state government should take some responsibility for the establishment of the current colony in East Kempsey. 

“Having regard to research undertaken relating to attempts to relocate flying fox camps throughout eastern Australia, it is reasonable to assume that the current colony established in response to the disturbance by Bypass works,” the council meeting agenda states.

“In this regard, council has written and contacted the Department of Lands and Department of Roads, Maritime and Freight requesting financial contribution towards the establishing of the buffer, however, as at the date of writing, no response has been received.”

Public forum presentations were made at the council meeting by the local director of FAWNA wildlife rescue Diana Woodward, as well as East Kempsey resident Delma Buczko.

Ms Woodward said flying foxes are a keystone species and important to the Macleay Valley.

“These animals are of vital importance because they are a keystone species and are the main pollinators of hardwood, which is very important to the timber industry in the Valley,” Ms Woodward said.

“They fly such long distances and mix-up the gene pool of the trees which is very valuable and nothing else does this to the extent the flying foxes can.”

In order to gain approval to establish a buffer zone, council needs to carry out a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) to determine whether the activity will have an impact on the species and if any significant impact is likely, this would trigger the need for a threatened species assessment

Ms Woodward said there was no need to remove the trees (bamboo) to create a buffer zone, as reducing the trees to 3m in height would move the animals away from the houses without creating other issues.  

“Even though it may not seem a bat-friendly thing to do, cutting trees in the buffer is a much better option,” Ms Woodward said.

“Clearing the trees will make the animals more anxious and therefore more noisy and will also cause them to go into people's backyards.

“I’m sorry for those people that live close to the colony and I understand the issues, but they are at least underneath the reserve and it’s an appropriate setting for them because they need to be near running water.  

“In fact, if I was a flying fox it’s well placed and reasonably away from housing and it’s a good site.”

Delma Buczko lives next to the flying fox colony and disagrees with Ms Woodward’s assessment.

“I have put up with the smell, their droppings, and the noise for the last four years and unless if you live with it you have no idea of the problems the bats cause,” Ms Buczko said.

“The bat colony is increasing and what needs to be decided is what is more important - human health or bats.

“I can not go out into my backyard without stepping on bat poo and urine and the smell seeps through the entire house.

“I have grandchildren and there is no way I would let them on the back lawn.

"Unless you have them living in your backyard and you have to smell the stink seeping into your house you do not know what it is like.”

At the end of the council meeting the recommendation for a formal representation to the Member for Oxley, Minister for Lands and Water, and Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight to seek an equitable contribution towards the cost of creating a buffer zone was carried unanimously by the council.