More funding for Flying Fox Habitat Restoration

MEDIA RELEASE 12 September 2022

Council has received $264, 650 through the LGNSW Flying Fox Camp Habitat Restoration Program to continue flying fox habitat restoration works, which commenced in 2018.

The grant will fund environmental restoration of 700m of flying fox habitat along the Macquarie Wambuul River, an area of high conservation value as a seasonal camp for the threatened grey-headed flying fox and the common little-red flying fox.

The project will involve weed control and vegetation restoration along the river, with a focus on invasive and riparian dominant species to improve structural complexity of the riparian vegetation and flying fox habitat.

The revegetation works will include planting 3,500 riparian dominant and roosting specific species including she-oak and Ribbon Gum by community and school volunteers, and local environmental conservation contractors.

Mayor Robert Taylor said community education and engagement will be key to the success of this project.

“This will be achieved through Council-hosted community and school tree plantings days, flying fox information evenings, interpretative signage and digital media that focuses on raising awareness of flying foxes within the community, he said.

Deputy Premier and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said this funding was good news for the little critters.

“Flying foxes are an important part of our ecosystem playing a vital role for Australian native plant survival,” Mr Toole said.

“This funding program will ensure the breed’s future by restoring habitats and educating the community on conservation initiatives.”

Loss of roosting habitat has been identified as one of several key threats to flying foxes with camp vegetation along the Macquarie Wambuul River.

The project site along the river has a high habitat suitability rating for flying foxes and is a non-contentious flying fox habitat site as per the Machattie Park and Kings Parade Camp Management Plan 2018. The plan also sets out actions for the restoration of flying fox roosting habitat at this site.

The Macquarie Wambuul River 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.

ENDS

Media contact: Media Officer