Singleton Council anticipates work to remove 40 dead, or dying trees, from Burdekin Park will begin in the next two weeks.
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And, it will be carried out during the day not at night.
The work should be completed by the end of July, and Council intends to call for three conceptual landscape designs to define the future uses of the park.
They will also apply for state government funding to provide practical assistance to residents who live in close proximity to Burdekin Park.
On Tuesday the NSW government announced a $1 million funding package for councils to manage problem flying fox colonies across the state.
The $1 million is in addition to a $2.5 million funding commitment to assist with managing the flying fox colony at Batemans Bay, where more than 100,000 flying foxes have established a camp of unprecedented size.
Burdekin Park has been described as resembling a war zone, and has been off limits to the public since May.
After an unprecedented influx of little red flying foxes overloaded the already struggling trees, and sent large branches crashing to the ground.
Council’s Director of Community and Infrastructure Services group Gary Thomson says they have received a licence to remove and prune trees in Burdekin Park as recommended by the recent arborist’s report.
“The licence is valid for five years, however, the works may only be undertaken on the site between 1 May and 31 July each year,” he explains.
“Council is looking at a staged implementation program, starting in the museum corner and moving towards the opposite corner where the flying foxes are currently roosting.”
“It is anticipated that the first stage of pruning and removal works will commence in the next two weeks and will be undertaken during the daytime.”
“It’s anticipated about 75 per cent of the identified dead and dying trees will be pruned or removed by 31 July 2016 subject to the conditions of approval.”
He says they will aim to minimise any disturbance to the flying fox colony.
“Works will be undertaken under the guidance of an ecologist and experienced flying fox carer and will aim to minimise any disturbance to the flying foxes. Where the ecologist determines that the works have caused an unacceptable level of disturbance to the flying foxes, works will cease for the day,” Mr Thomson says.
“Council will today apply to the State Government for funding to provide practical assistance to residents who live in close proximity to Burdekin Park. This assistance is based on feedback provided by affected residents during a recent survey undertaken by Council.”
“Council will also apply to the Federal Government for funding to update Council’s Flying Fox Management Strategy to reflect the current conditions in the park and the Burdekin Park Plan of Management.
“Council has not been formally advised of any funding available to councils for management of flying foxes and Singleton Council’s applications pre-dated any such announcement.”
“To progress planning for Burdekin Park, post tree removal, Council intends to call for three conceptual landscape designs that define the future uses of the park. It’s anticipated these landscape concepts will be exhibited to the community for a public input before progressing to detailed designs.
“Council is preparing an update for all Singleton town residents to be letterbox dropped over the coming weeks and thanks all residents for their ongoing support and patience regarding this issue.”
