Singleton Council has advised residents via social media that the park is closed until further notice due to dangerous conditions.
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Council staff will install temporary barricades and new warning signs around the park tomorrow for the safety of the community.
However, the Singleton Historical Museum and the public toilets will not be included in the barricaded area and will continue to operate.
They says the move follows a recent swell in the population of the flying-fox colony and a high number of adolescent flying foxes in residence.
The increased numbers are putting additional strain on the tree branches causing many to crack and fall to the ground.
To protect residents and visitors who use the park, we have made the decision to close the park until such time as conditions improve or a more permanent barricading solution can be investigated.
The measure is in accordance with Council’s adopted Flying-Fox Management Strategy.
We will also apply to amend our Section 91 licence to allow for emergency maintenance and trimming of the trees in the park.
It is expected some tree removal and trimming will be undertaken in May under the existing Section 91 licence but is clear the maintenance needs to be across the entire park which will require an amendment.
We will continue to investigate all legal means and options to reduce the impact caused to our residents and visitors by the flying-foxes.
We take seriously the negative impact this has caused the community, however, we need to manage the flying-foxes in a legally supported way.
