Resident concedes defeat in battle against flying foxes

SINCE 2006 Doug Parkinson has been embroiled in a war against flying foxes, but reckons he is ready to admit defeat.

SINCE 2006 Doug Parkinson has been embroiled in a war against flying foxes, but reckons he is ready to admit defeat.

A resident of Gardner Ave for 25 years, Mr Parkinson has been living next to a grey-headed flying fox colony of 70,000 at Rotary Park since the mega bats relocated there from North Lismore's Currie Park in 2006.

The Lismore grandfather believes the flying foxes have severely impaired his quality of life, but says he is worn down by the fight with councillors and "greenies".

"Fair dinkum, I've given up. (Lismore City) Council has worn me down and I doubt they are going to do anything about them," he said.

"I don't go out at dusk and dawn. The noise is unbearable. I don't invite the grandkids over after rain for the sake of their health and I can't leave clothes on the line after dusk.

"After a decent shower the odour is disgraceful.

"Who would want to buy here? A bloke in my street had to sell up for $40,000 less than he wanted.

"But people are fanatical about bats. You're not going to change that.

"I've been in trouble before for scaring them away with a stock whip.

"The bats fly over the hospital and Lismore Public School. That smell is bacteria. I worry about the children. In 2006 they never left and I don't think they ever will."