Together with the NSW Government, LGNSW is implementing a $5 million program over 10 years to help councils research, restore and create flying-fox habitats.
The program aims to restore and enhance flying fox roosting and foraging habitat, learn how habitat creation, restoration and enhancement can improve flying-fox conservation and reduce conflict with humans, and share information with key stakeholders.
Background
Flying-fox management is generally conducted in line with Camp Management Plans (CMPs), which councils develop based on the NSW Government’s Flying-fox Camp Management Policy 2015.
Many activities conducted as part of a CMP are short-term and largely aimed at reducing the impacts of camps on surrounding communities e.g. weed removal, trimming under-storey vegetation, or buffer creation by clearing canopy trees or disturbing animals at the camp boundary.
As a result, there’s been minimal focus on longer-term flying fox conservation strategies.
Establishment Phase 2018-19
Over the establishment phase, an expert advisory group has worked closely with LGNSW to advise on program design, collaboration and joint ventures. Several activities are under way, including:
- Updating and expanding flying-fox camp and foraging habitat mapping;
- Production of a detailed program design; and
- Writing a guide for councils on flying-foxes and how best to work with local communities.
Habitat Restoration Phase 2019-29
Following the successful completion of the establishment phase and approval from the Environmental Trust to proceed, habitat restoration and enhancement projects will run until 2029.
This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust.
- Read about flying-foxes and the community
- LGNSW has run a grant program with State Government to assist councils and has also developed a Program for Habitat Restoration.
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