When it comes to the long suffering Macquarie Fields residents who live a few metres away from a huge colony of grey headed flying fox, there is some respite this summer.
Jim Bucknall, who is the unofficial spokesman for the residents, has told the South West Voice that instead of around 25,000 shrieking bats it was estimated there were “only’’ 10,000 in this summer of 2023-24.
The colony has been there since around 2018, mostly located on the lush surrounds of Redfern Creek and nearby Bingara Reserve.
Unfortunately, it’s also where quite a few human beings have been living – long before 2018.
The bats are a protected species and do play a vital role in the eco system.
Indeed none of the affected residents we have spoken to since 2018, including Mr Bucknall, support any action that would harm them.
But they are also noisy, smelly and, well, there’s a hell of a lot of them.
“We just want council to help us make things a little better,’’ Mr Bucknall told the Voice all those years ago.
Campbelltown Council has tried to find a way to ease the burden for residents, especially since the start of 2022.
Mr Bucknall says he has been informed council will discuss the issue at the March meeting.
They will look at possible solutions, including the responsibility of strata management of the houses affected.
Also on the agenda is weed removal as part of plans to clean out Redfern Creek near the colony.
“I am told by council that a sprinkler system is the remedy to keep the bats away from the close by properties,’’ Mr Bucknall said.
“Council say they are also going to plant some pine trees to beautify the area.’’
Mr Bucknall said Campbelltown Council have come through with a Residents Assistance Program.
Under the program residents are reimbursed for services and maintenance of their properties to the tune of $1000 each.
Mostly it’s to have cars and roofs cleaned of bat droppings.
And even with just 10,000 bats, that’s still a lot of droppings.
