A meeting today in Tamworth will target how to handle the problem of flying fox camps.
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Residents upset and persecuted by the long time colony of up to 40,000 bats living in the trees along the Peel River bank near King George V Ave will meet with Tamworth Regional Council, various government agencies, wildlife activists and vets this afternoon.
The meeting comes in the wake of renewed calls for the council to move the flying fox camp because of health fears and dreadful living conditions created for people who live in the area.
The mess from the bats has polluted water tanks, ruined vegetable gardens, stops people from hanging out their washing, created power cuts, and caused a dreadful noise, homeowners have claimed.
The council has estimated about 20,000 of the endangered grey-headed flying fox species and 20,000 red flying foxes are living in trees adjacent to King George V Ave – the largest camp currently in the region which is located close to homes.
The council manager for environment and health, Ross Briggs, is expecting representatives of WIRES, various NSW government agencies, local vets and the equine industry to attend the Monday meeting.
Residents in the area have also been invited.
The meeting is expected to take the first steps in creating a management plan for the camps.
The council has been given a $10,000 grant from the Office and Environment and Heritage to do that work.
It will form a blueprint for handling bats across the council area, including at Barraba where there have also been complaints about the fallout from camps.