THE decade-long battle to rid Singleton’s Burdekin Park of its bat colony may soon be over.
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It is expected the state government will announce today new legislative guidelines for controlling the Grey-headed flying foxes, who at the height of their occupation of the park in 2012 numbered 10,000.
Controlling the bats has proved extremely difficult because they are listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995) and the federal government’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999).
But, concerns over the bats’ risk to health, in particular their link with Ebola virus, has perhaps prompted the government to initiate new laws.
The NSW Department of Health Ebola Virus Factsheet says fruit bats are considered to be a natural host of Ebola viruses.
However, it goes on to say and, most importantly, there is no evidence that it is present in Australian bats or other animals in Australia.
There have been no reported cases.
Upper Hunter MP George Souris said the protection of human health was always the government’s first principle.
“Later this week, the government will announce a plan to allow councils to receive approval for five years to do what it takes to protect the community,” he said.
“This new approach will cut the red tape, freeing up councils to help their communities.”
A recent example, after hearing concerns from orchardists about flying foxes and fruit crops, the Environment Minister Rob Stokes made $4 million available for netting.
In addition, orchardists were advised that the minister will issue a shooting licence where it is the only practical solution.
The NSW Government has also been working closely with its federal counterparts.
“We remain committed to a one-stop shop that improves environmental decision making and reduces red tape,” Mr Souris said.
Singleton mayor John Martin said council was looking forward to the release of a new policy and, if it looks like solving the Burdekin Park problem, acting quickly on the changes.
“We have, as council, spent a great deal of time and money on finding a workable solution to the local bat problem,” he told The Argus.
“But we have to work within the laws either state or federal – so the new policy will be looked at with great interest.”
Cr Martin said the one strategy that appeared to provide some control was lopping the larger trees in the park to reduce the bat habitat and that moved some of the colony to other sites.