Picton residents say flying fox colony should be moved
Picton resident's say the shire's grey headed flying fox colony is wreaking havoc on their homes.
Karl Klein, a local who lives in close proximity to the growing camp of flying foxes, recently organised a meeting between residents and councillors to discuss the issue.
He said the meeting was very productive.
"I was surprised and very happy with the turn-out from local residents," Mr Klein said.
"It was tough to hear what people have been dealing with.
"Some residents won't let their kids play outside and they can't spend time outside because of the smell.
"People are trying to sell their homes just so they can get out of the area and they can't sell because of the bats.
"Some are selling for well below market value just to get out of here."
The flying fox camp at Stonequarry Creek is currently home to numerous females with young pups, making this a very delicate time as the mothers birth and raise their young.
Last summer most of the young pups died due to the extreme conditions coming out of a drought and with the impact of the bushfires.
Mr Klein said residents didn't want to hurt the bats, they just wanted them moved.
"The outside of our houses are covered in bat poop - some people's cars are being damaged as well," he said.
"But what we have here is nothing compared to what the people on Picton Avenue are dealing with.
Troublesome native: The Grey-Headed Flying Fox is a threatened species and Picton's colony has continued to grow in the past year. Picture: Noni Hyett
"Nobody wants to harm the bats, they are a protected species as well, all we want is to have them moved."
Mr Klein said he was optimistic that change was on the horizon.
"I'm hopeful that the bats will be moved," he said.
"I also spoke with [Wollondilly MP] Nathaniel Smith and he said he had spoken with the environment minister about the issues we are having here."
Wollondilly deputy mayor Michael Banasik attended the community meeting alongside mayor Robert Khan and councillors Judith Hannan and Noel Lowry.
Mr Banasik said the flying fox camp was originally 7000 bats and had dwindled to around 1500 last year.
But now the population has boomed to more than 15,000.
"The flying foxes are within 10-20 metres of people's homes and of course the two schools nearby," he said.
"Parents were saying they won't walk their kids to school, despite living so close, because of the health concerns about the bat faeces.
"The creek is also black from the bat poop, I have never seen anything like it.
"The flying foxes are having a negative impact on the ecosystem of Stonequarry Creek."
Cr Banasik said it was important to hear what residents had to say.
"Residents and council know that there is no silver bullet fir this situation," he said.
"No one wants the bats to die - I just wish they would move to Thirlmere Lakes or somewhere like that but they have chosen Picton as their home.
"The council is offering car covers and help with cleaning but residents want the colony moved.
"I have spoken with Nathaniel Smith about this issue as well and he said he has advocated on behalf of residents to the relevant ministers.
"Hopefully we can have a solution in place soon."
Mayor Robert Khan told the Advertiser last week that the council was limited in what activities could be undertaken around the camp as the flying foxes were a threatened species.
"Council is aware of the impact that the flying foxes are having on neighbouring residents including noise, smell and mess and we know that it can be very challenging to live alongside the camp," he said.
"We are keen to hear from residents on the best ways that we can help them, for example car covers, access to high pressure water cleaners and aromatic plants."
Residents are invited to submit their responses about the camp at: yoursay.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au.