The increasing presence of flying foxes in Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park, which borders their home on the Peel River has left concerned residents worrying for the park’s future.
Many fear the family friendly park could face a similar situation to Singleton’s Burdekin Park, which was overrun by the animals for years.
More than 30,000 flying foxes caused mayhem for the park, which was eventually closed in 2016 due safety concerns over falling branches and faeces.
25 Trees were removed by the Singleton Shire Council, which then had to spend an estimated $180,000 to relocate the species.
Due to flying foxes being listed as a threatened species, councils have limited options on how to remove or prevent the animals from entering spaces like Tamworth’s Bicentennial Park.
Manager of Regulatory Services for Tamworth Regional Council Ross Briggs says the currant approach of using noise to deter flying foxes from taking up residence in the park has been sufficient.
“We have a management practice in place that will gently nudge the flying foxes back out of the park.” Mr Briggs said.
“We’re allowed to do our general mowing works.”
“If we find that the flying foxes are coming in a bit far then we’ll do more mowing and that noise is usually enough to move them on.”
