Hunter politician Joel Fitzgibbon has lashed out at the Federal Environment Minister for helping a south coast council with its flying fox problem, and not doing the same for affected Hunter communities.
Yesterday Greg Hunt announced Eurobodalla Council will receive a significant assistance package to deal with the area’s bats.
Mr Fitzgibbon has suggested the decision was based on political favourtism, and he’s calling on the Minister to extend the same consideration to Hunter councils.
“Councils are reluctant to invest large amounts of money in dispersal plans when there is no guarantee of NSW and Commonwealth Government approval. They have been bitten in the past.
“The Minister must extend the same consideration to Hunter Councils as he has to Eurobodalla,” he said.
Mr Fitzgibbon will tonight address a community bat forum in Raymond Terrace.
Meanwhile the Department of Education has released a statement regarding the colony located near Cessnock East Public School:
The school is operating as normal. There is no suggestion that any building needs to close, and the school has received no advice that the flying foxes pose any health risk to any students or staff.
Over the holidays some flying foxes roosted briefly in a small number of trees on the edge of the school grounds. They only stayed a few days and have not returned, but as a result a very small proportion of the play area is out of bounds until the play equipment there is pressure-cleaned as a precaution.
The school will continue to monitor the situation in consultation with the council and State authorities, and take steps to maintain the school as a safe and pleasant learning environment.
Imagine this in your backyard? That's the experience of residents in #cessnock @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/s2XHugYk2B
— Amanda Douglas (@ADouglasNBN) May 19, 2016
