I have welcomed the State Government’s move to give local Councils more authority to manage problem flying fox roosts in urban areas. A more streamlined approvals process will give local Councils the authority to manage flying fox roosts in urban areas without having to apply to the State Government for a damage mitigation permit.
The delays in approvals has made the issue harder to resolve in the past as new bat colonies establish new roosts in urban areas.
Bats are still protected under Commonwealth, State and local government laws so this doesn’t mean that Council or local residents will be able to harm the bats.
But cutting green tape like this will mean that local councils will be able to respond more rapidly and proactively to community concerns and take action to disperse or otherwise manage flying fox roosts in a timely way according to an agreed Code of Practice without getting prior approval from State Government.
