MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has welcomed news that NSW Environment Minister Rob Stokes will next week announce the details of a plan to give local councils powers to take reasonable steps to move on flying fox colonies when they roost in urban areas.
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“I’m delighted that next week the Minister will announce a plan to allow councils to receive approval for five years to do what it takes to protect their local community,” Mr Marshall said.
“The Minister has been quite clear that the protection of human health is always his first principle. I understand this new approach, which we’ve been lobbying for, will cut the red tape and free up councils to help their communities.
“I look forward to seeing the detail of these approvals next week but can confirm that shooting or destroying flying foxes in urban or built up areas will not be permitted.”
In May this year Mr Marshall launched a petition with Inverell Shire Council and the Inverell Chamber of Commerce calling on the state to develop a better management strategy to deal more effectively with flying fox infestations in urban and built up areas.
The petition, supported by several of Mr Marshall parliamentary colleagues, attracted more than 10,000 signatures and was tabled for debate in the Legislative Assembly in September.
