Flying-fox home base project

Funding across the project’s eight year lifespan totals over $144,000. Most of the funding has been awarded to Council through LGNSW’s Flying-Fox Habitat Restoration Program grant, with the remaining (approx. $63,000) being provided by Council.

Regular weed maintenance and watering will be carried out for the duration of the grant, utilising grant and Council funding. Following the end of the grant the site will become part of the environmental maintenance schedule.

By restoring high quality roosting and foraging habitat away from residential areas, the project aims to direct flying-foxes away from human settlement and reduce impacts to the community. The restoration plan focuses on addressing the specific habitat requirements of flying-foxes and includes not only the planting of canopy trees but also native rainforest species that should provide key long-term food resources to flying-foxes.

Yes! Opportunities to become involved with the project will be advertised on this webpage, via our Green Communities newsletter and Council’s social media channels. These will include a variety of events and information sessions including school education days, tours of the site, working bees and updates on project progress.

Flying-foxes often roost in large communal camps that may greatly fluctuate in size due to local food supplies.

This can make it seem like their numbers are increasing when the grey headed flying-fox population declined by up to 30 per cent between 1989 and 1999 . In fact, this species is now considered vulnerable to extinction by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, due to threats such as habitat loss, illegal hunting, and climate change.

Human infections from viruses borne by flying-foxes are extremely rare. There are no confirmed cases of anyone getting sick from touching flying fox faeces, urine or blood.

You should still wash your hands after touching anything like that. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the wound straight away with soap and water for five minutes. Apply antiseptic and see a doctor as soon as possible.

There are two viral diseases affecting bats that can also infect dogs. These are Hendra virus and Lyssavirus. There have been no cases in Australia, where dogs have been clinically ill from either of these viruses.

Pets that come into contact with bats may still be at risk, so precautions should be taken to prevent contact between your pets and bats. This may include keeping dogs (and cats) inside at night, particularly when bats are feeding on fruiting or flowering trees on or near your property, and keeping pets on a leash when walking near bat colonies.

Flying-foxes are native to New South Wales and are therefore protected from harm by the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. These species also play a vital role in seed dispersal and pollination where they make a unique contribution to ecosystem health.

Council’s role in flying-fox management includes community engagement and education, management of camps on public land, strategy and works to improve habitat in locations away from residential areas and advocacy on behalf of residents regarding camps on private land.

When flying-fox camps are on private property, Council can assist with advice and support in talking to relevant State Government agencies, providing education and information materials, and assisting residents to apply for licences and grant funding to support residents in doing works on their property.

To date, very few camp dispersals have been successful in moving the flying-fox camp from its original location. In most cases, replacement camps formed within 1km and became sites of transferred conflict. Research has shown few dispersal attempts have been successful in resolving conflict for communities, generally after extensive destruction of roost habitat.

Never directly handle flying-foxes. If you must dispose of a dead flying-fox, always wear thick gloves or use tongs or a shovel. Wrap it in a plastic bag, dispose appropriately and wash your hands thoroughly. If you are bitten or scratched, wash the site immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention. Don’t keep pet food or water under trees housing flying foxes, particularly for horses. If you find an injured flying fox, call WIRES.