Lismore mayor: “We live in harmony” with bats

LISMORE mayor Jenny Dowell wrote to Eurobodalla Shire Council telling them “I responded that our community loves in harmony with our colonies."

EUOROBODALLA Shire Council, which has taken a hard line against its flying fox population explosion at Batemans Bay, may not have been expecting the reply it got from Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell.

According to Eurobodalla Council spokesperson, a letter was sent in December to other councils with the aim of garnering support for flying fox dispersal plans and lobbying state government for funding.

Cr Dowell said, "I responded that our community lives in harmony with our colonies, that we have reduced habitat which has to be addressed and that most people like the sight of the animals darkening our dusk skies. I also mentioned the importance in rainforest seed dispersal."

Lismore City Council has no flying fox dispersal strategy.

Since the letter, Batemans Bay has had a flying fox population explosion, which the state government described as a 'state of emergency'. NSW Government last week announced of $2.5 million to commence flying fox dispersal activities in Bateman's Bay.

Closer to home, Richmond Valley Council is set to undertake a flying fox dispersal program, after Clarence MP Chris Gulaptis announced a $1 million strategy to stop bats 'running riot and ruining our lifestyle' in Casino and Maclean.

If Richmond Valley Council takes its lead from Eurobodalla Council, strategies to 'nudge' camps of grey-headed flying foxes could include spraying trees with pheromone, sprinkler systems, and using giant inflatables like the 'waving men' outside car dealerships. Drones were discussed but ruled out.