For close to a decade, residents along Redfern Creek near Bingara Reserve, Macquarie Fields have had to share their environment with a Grey Headed Flying Fox colony whose numbers were estimated at more than 10,000.
While it’s true these flying bats are an important part of the eco system and therefore a protected species, when they set up camp next to a residential area it makes life hell for the humans who live there.
The bats are noisy, smelly, and just too many of them.
Campbelltown Council has tried to work with the residents to make the situation a little better at Macquarie Fields, but it’s a very difficult assignment.
One of the councillors who has got involved in the issue is Karen Hunt.
In recent years Cr Hunt has taken an interest in potential solutions, meeting with residents and bringing up the issue in council.
Cr Hunt has now sought to get an update from council on whether any of the actions proposed so far have been implemented.
She has tabled several questions in the business paper for the March meeting of council, which will take place tomorrow night:
1. Do the surveys of the Bingara Reserve camp colony remain ongoing?
2. Since removal of rubbish, including tyres, scrap metal, shopping trolleys etc, in mid-2022 has Redfern Creek been maintained regularly under guidance and with minimum disturbance of the Grey Headed Flying Fox?
3. In 2023 the online communication platform was due to be launched. Is it now operating for those residents adjoining Bingara Reserve?
4. In 2023 Council was investigating the provision of weed management, screen planting and a canopy buffer sprinkler system for highly impacted properties on Myee Road. Was there a favourable outcome?
5. If not, has Council investigated an alternate proposal to implement a canopy buffer sprinkler system at Bingara Reserve, given the success of the sprinkler system at the Campbelltown Grey Headed Flying Fox habitat?
6. Has the Milton Park tree planting been successful in creating a new Grey Headed Flying Fox habitat? Has it lessened the impact of Grey Headed Flying Fox on residents in the immediate vicinity of Redfern Creek/Bingara Reserve?
7. Council was very successful in obtaining State government funding for site restoration works at both Grey Headed Flying Fox colony sites. Is Council planning to reapply for funding to continue site restoration works at both sites?
8. Has habitat mapping been commenced?
9. Has a National Flying Fox Monitoring Program census times commenced?
10. Of low priority and not started in 2023, but has there been any further development regarding spacing of overhead electrical wires to protect Grey Headed Flying Fox?
Cr Hunt tabled a second set of questions on the flying fox, and they are:
1. Was all Residential Assistance Program funding exhausted?
2. How many residents received a second or third assistance funding grant?
3. Was the Residential Assistance Program determined to be fit for purpose and successful for the residents?
4. Has Council applied for further ongoing external grant funding to continue the program?
5. Is the annual program of community engagement continuing?
6. Has the signage been installed?
That’s a lot of questions, and hopefully there will be some answers at the meeting.
One question Cr Hunt did not ask was: have things got better, worse or are they the same for the residents at Macquarie Fields?
The South West Voice called unofficial residents’ spokesperson Jim Bucknall and put that question to him today.
“Mate, things are the same as they ever were,’’ was his response.