MidCoast Council Flying-fox Camp Management Plan
6.
Camp management options and actions
6.1
Camp management options
The full range of management options available to manage and mitigate conflicts between humans and flying-foxes at camps were identified and reviewed throughout community engagement and Plan preparation. Details of these options are provided in the NSW Flyingfox Camp Management Policy 2015 and Camp Management Plan Template 2019, and analysed in Appendix 4. The identification of alternative and innovative options was also encouraged during community engagement. Management options are grouped into three levels, as follows: • • •
Level 1: Routine camp management which aim to manage the camp in-situ and manage issues without directly impacting the camp. Level 2: In-situ camp management which aim to retain flying-foxes at the camp, however create separation between roosting animals and adjacent sensitive receptors. Level 3: Disturbance or dispersal which aim to stop flying-foxes roosting at the site.
The DPIE NSW Flying-fox Camp Management Policy 2015 requires a hierarchy approach to be considered based on a principle of using the lowest form of intervention required. Culling is often raised by community members as a preferred management method; however, culling is contrary to the objects of the BC Act and will not be permitted as a method to manage flying-fox camps.
6.2
MidCoast Council management approach
MidCoast Council’s approach for managing the subject flying-fox camps has taken into consideration: • • •
current scientific information about flying-fox behaviour and ecology outcomes of flying-fox management at other camps along eastern Australia each camp’s unique situation and that camp management needs to be site specific.
The approach adopts a combination of Level 1 and Level 2 camp management actions, based on the following factors: • •
•
• •
Council does not want to adopt actions that have potential to exacerbate issues or create new camps where there may be similar (or worse) human/ flying-fox conflicts flying-fox occupation and numbers at each camp is expected to continue to fluctuate widely and seasonally depending on the availability of food resources. At camps where periods of significant flying-fox occupation have been observed, this is generally temporary and short term. Flying-foxes are typically absent or present in low numbers at the subject camps for large periods each year from time to time, some residents in proximity to the camps are expected to be adversely affected by the camp, particularly in relation to odour, noise and droppings. Measures to assist directly impacted residents in dealing with adverse impacts are appropriate the vegetation at each camp is of high amenity value for many of the surrounding residents, contributing to people’s attraction to live in the local area most of the vegetation at each camp is of high biodiversity value, which is recognised by its retention and land use zoning
65
