The federal member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis, state member for Bega Andrew Constance and Eurobodalla Shire Council mayor Lindsay Brown will work together to find a solution to the issue, but warn the community they may be in for a long and difficult process. 

In a joint statement sent to the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner, the three politicians said they were determined in to address the environmental crisis causing unimaginable distress for many residents and businesses.  

“We are warning people that we may be in for a long and difficult process to alleviate the pain and suffering facing many in our community as a result of the formation of one of the largest ever recorded colonies in an urban environment in the nation’s history,” they said.

“We are in unchartered territory dealing with the formation of a colony at such unprecedented levels, with estimates well in excess of 100,000 animals. Nobody should underestimate the magnitude of the challenge before us.

“For this reason we do not have all of the answers and are all working together to try and find solutions.”

They recogonised that, for many, this had become a crisis situation as a result of either living in close proximity to the bats, financial loss to their business and/or property or the ongoing power outage causing extreme difficulties for many.

“Our immediate focus is community welfare by engaging agencies across all three tiers of Government to assist in a better co-ordinated response,” the statement said.

“People’s welfare is of the utmost priority and we are urging everybody to follow the public health warnings that will continue to be issued. It is vital that people follow all the necessary procedures, especially when dealing in personal contact with the flying foxes.

“We are also worried about the level of distress caused by anxiety and depression, which we believe is affecting some in the community. We are urging people to contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or their local doctor as soon as possible.”

Last Friday, Mr Constance co-ordinated all relevant NSW government agencies, including Eurobodalla Shire Council, to discuss a whole of government response to address community welfare.

The agencies involved include NSW Southern Health District, Essential Energy, Local Land Services, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, along with Ms Sudmalis and Cr Brown.

Federal environment minister Greg Hunt has also been engaged and the Commonwealth Department for the Environment be involved with assisting on approving the council’s dispersal plan.

“People need accurate and timely information and this will now be centrally co-ordinated through the council’s website,” they said. 

“We applaud the council’s management for bringing forward a draft dispersal plan this week.

“It is also important to recognise and thank in particular all three councillors in attendance at the very difficult council meeting last Wednesday evening. Councillor Innes and Leslight, as the two local councillors, need to be recognised for their advocacy.”

The statement said attempting dispersal was a first and utmost priority, but, unfortunately, the process wasn’t as simple as we would all want.

“We will work together following completion and councillor approval of the dispersal plan on expediting the Commonwealth and State approval process and sourcing the necessary financial resources to attempt it.”

Labour candidate for Gilmore Fiona Phillips sent an statement to the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner after seeing this story online.

“This article just confirms that over time, Liberal representatives have failed to address the growing and now highly significant flying fox issue at Batemans Bay,” she said.