MidCoast Council Flying-fox Camp Management Plan
Action ID
Management action (DPIE 2015 Action Level)
Target issue
Management action details
Priority
Timing
Performance indicators
Cost
High
Year 1
•
Resources allocated to Plan implementation. Management actions are implemented. Community confidence in Council’s ability to management flying-fox camps increased.
Year 1: $55,000 Ongoing: Existing resources
Community has greater understanding of the long-term strategy for managing flyingfoxes. Complaints to Council regarding flying-foxes are reduced.
Budget from Action A01 and existing resources
Conflicts are minimised through appropriate use of the site and awareness of new owners/ occupiers that a flyingfox camp is present nearby. Only appropriate future developments are located near flying-fox camps Human/flying-fox conflicts are not increased by future development.
Budget from Action A01 and existing resources
Protocol developed and adopted. Training provided to relevant Council staff.
Budget from Action A01 and existing resources
General management actions A01
Allocate sufficient resources to enable flying-fox management plan implementation (1)
All
Sufficient resources would be allocated to enable implementation of the Plan. This is particularly important in the initial stages when a high level of organisation, facilitation and community engagement is required, as well as: •
grant applications to seek external funds
•
prioritising on-ground works
• •
• development of procedures. A combination of internal and external resources may be used during Year 1. Existing staff resources would manage plan implementation in subsequent years. A02
A03
A04
Information and awareness program (1)
Appropriate land-use planning (1)
Routine works protocol (1)
All
All
All
Provide information to the community regarding disease risk and management, how to minimise flying-fox impacts at your home, flying-fox management actions being undertaken by Council, flying-fox ecology and legislative status. This includes: • utilising existing flying-fox community information and awareness information published by Australasian Bat Society, DPIE, NSW Health and DoAWE • working in partnership with other organisations involved with wildlife and health related education (e.g. National Parks and Wildlife Service, FAWNA and WINC) • updating Council website with up-to-date program of works being undertaken at each camp • maps of flying-fox camp locations and 300 m potential impact zones on Council’s website • regular media releases regarding works at each camp and trends of flying-foxes in the LGA • ensuring other internal Council departments are aware of the camps and associated management measures when working in the vicinity of the camp. Provide information on products and modifications that residents can undertake to reduce flying-fox impacts (e.g. first flush water tank diverters, removing washing before dusk, relocating clothes-lines from below food trees, netting fruit trees, removing undesirable trees that attract flying-fox foraging at residences and associated approval requirements/ considerations).
High
•
Prepare a Development Control Plan (DCP) to guide future development near flying-fox camps within the LGA, including both greenfield and infill development. The DCP would include structural requirements or guidelines on new buildings within proximity to camp to minimise the risk of future conflicts from flying-fox noise, odours and droppings. Greenfield development provisions would include appropriate urban design and landscaping provisions, and ensure that adequate distances are maintained between future dwellings/sensitive receptors and existing or historical flying-fox camps across the LGA. • Investigate the possibility of including flying-fox camps on Section 10.7 certificates for new developments. • Investigate if minor residential additions aimed at providing protection from potential nuisance from droppings, odour / noise etc from flying-foxes (e.g. car ports, sound proofing, covered outdoor areas etc) can be processed under the Exempt and Complying Provisions of Council’s DCP. Note: This action is particularly important at Karloo Street Reserve, Cocos Crescent Reserve, Smiths Lake and Hawks Nest camps.
High
Develop protocols and training for Council staff and contractors when working near/ at flyingfox camps to minimise flying-fox disturbance and associated impacts (e.g. noise) for surrounding residents. Protocols may include:
High
• • • •
undertake an acclimatisation program prior to operational works allowing time for flyingfoxes to become accustomed to machinery and staff use low noise equipment where possible (e.g. electric tools rather than motorised tools). if flying-foxes are present and machinery such as chainsaws, whipper snippers and lawn mowers are required, monitor flying-fox behaviour during use operational works within or adjacent to flying-fox habitat (e.g. APZ maintenance) are timed outside the species reproductive time or times when flying-fox numbers are absent or in low numbers.
67
Years 1-5
•
•
Investigate: Year 1 Implement: Years 1-5
•
• •
Develop: Year 1 Implement: Years 1-5
• •
