MidCoast Council will complete a management plan for the flying fox camps at Forster's Karloo Street and Cocos Crescent reserves after receiving a $10,000 grant from the NSW Flying Fox Grants Program.
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The grant will be matched by funds from council's environmental rate and the money will be used to engage a flying fox specialist, who will provide technical input into the development of the camp management plan.
"The project will also involve engaging local community members in developing strategies to manage impacts of nearby flying fox camps," council's natural systems manager Gerard Tuckerman said.
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The grey-headed flying fox is currently listed as vulnerable to extinction under both State and Federal legislation.
However, this status is not based on current population numbers, but rather the rapid rate of decline the species has experienced in a relatively short period.
The national population has dropped an estimated 30 per cent due to habitat loss caused by urban development in the coastal zone.
As a result, flying foxes have sought alternative habitat in patches of bushland in urban areas, which has brought them into conflict with local residents.
A keystone pollinator of more than 50 native trees, the animal is considered critical to the survival of eucalyptus forests.
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The reserves at Karloo Street and Cocos Crescent accommodate the second largest number of flying foxes across the local government area, behind Wingham Brush.
The camp numbers usually remain below 10,000, however several influxes have occurred over the years, including an influx of 125,000 flying foxes in 2013.
"It is these influxes that cause the most community concern and the proposed management plan will investigate options to alleviate the impacts of the camps on neighbouring residents in a manner that does not detract from the ecological needs and welfare of the flying fox," Mr Tuckerman said.
A previous management plan at Karloo Street was complicated by an influx of the species, however the work undertaken will contribute to the new management plan.
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