Community sentiment sought on flying-foxes

MEDIA RELEASE 19 June 2023

Community sentiment sought on flying-foxes

Council is seeking to capture community sentiment and opinions on flying-foxes in the Bathurst region as part of the Local Government NSW-funded Macquarie Wambuul River Bathurst Flying-fox Camp Habitat Restoration Project.

Flying-foxes are seasonal visitors to the Bathurst region arriving in spring and moving on to warmer locations when the temperature drops too low. The main species that visits our region is the threatened grey-headed flying-fox and the little red flying-fox.

Mayor Robert Taylor the Flying-Fox Camp Management Plan was adopted in 2018 for Machattie Park and Kings Parade, where specialist ecological consultants were commissioned to develop the management plan for the seasonal return of flying-foxes in Machattie Park.

“The ecologists conducted an onsite assessment of the flying-fox camp in Machattie Park and developed actions for the restoration of flying-fox roosting habitat along the banks of the Macquarie Wambuul River,” he said.

Community consultation was also carried out to gain an understanding of the history of the camp, flying-fox activity in the region and to understand community values and concerns. It’s been five years since the last community sentiment survey on flying-foxes and Council would once again like to know the community’s values, experiences and concerns regarding flying-foxes and their management.

The survey is available on the Your Say Bathurst website until Friday 21 July.

The Macquarie Wambuul River Bathurst Flying-Fox Camp Habitat Restoration Project is part of the Flying-Fox Habitat Restoration Program assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust in association with Local Government NSW and Bathurst Regional Council.

For more information on flying-foxes and the Macquarie Wambuul River Bathurst Flying-Fox Camp Habitat Restoration Project visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer