Council has put a draft management plan for flying foxes on public exhibition until mid-January.

The plan identifies two camps on the Peel River near King George V Ave and opposite Bicentennial Park near the junction of the Peel River and Goonoo Goonoo Creek – known as the “park” camp.

The key proposal of the draft plan is a strategy designed to encourage flying-foxes towards the habitat on the western side of the Peel River, away from the Tamworth CBD.

“Where flying-fox camps are in close proximity to urban areas and are causing concerns to residents through noise, odour, prevalence of dropping or health concerns – including mental health – proactive management of camps is recommended,” Tamworth Regional Council Regulatory Services Manager Ross Briggs said. 

“Under the draft plan there is a range of work proposed to do this including the removal of ‘roosting’ trees along the Bicentennial Park riverbank, removal of weed species from the ‘park’ camp site, bank stabilisation and weed control and habitat thinning at the King George V Avenue camp.”

Mayor Col Murray said it is important for potentially-affected landholders and residents to become part of the decision making process through providing feedback during the exhibition period.

“Their comments will be considered in producing the final plan to be submitted to council for endorsement,” he said.

“While the plan has been developed with the help of an expert consultant to guide council on how best to respond to future influxes of the protected species, councillors want the community tell us how they want us to manage flying-foxes.”

Council said it was encouraging the community to have their say about the plan and whether they support the range of actions it proposes.

“It also includes community education about the management plan and flying-foxes plus the installation of signage,” Mr Briggs said.

Written submissions are open until January 13.