The 'united front' of three tiers of government on bats has cracked, just 24 hours after a feisty community meeting called for immediate action.
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Bega MP Andrew Constance this afternoon accused Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Lindsay Brown of “petty, political game play” after Cr Brown released an earlier statement earlier.
Thanking federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt for his pledge to help, Cr Brown on May 17 said the NSW Government posed impediments to dispersal of the colonies in Batemans Bay.
“Andrew Constance’s commitment to provide NSW Government funding for the flying fox dispersal is also very welcome, however, I call on Mr Constance to do what he can to remove the NSW Government impediments that delay and constrain the council’s ability to disperse the flying foxes,” Cr Brown said.
"I also call on my councillor colleagues to support me and our community to implement an active dispersal, as soon as we get NSW Government approval."
The statement drew a stinging response late on Tuesday afternoon from Mr Constance, who accused the mayor of “petty political game play”.
“The NSW Government is ready to receive the council's final dispersal plan and is in fact already engaged with the council to expedite it,” Mr Constance said.
“The Office of Environment and Heritage received a draft dispersal plan from Eurobodalla Shire Council for the Bateman's Bay Flying Fox camp on 10 May.
“Office of Environment and Heritage reviewed the draft plan and provided comment back to the council on 12 May.
“The Mayor calling on me to remove impediments is petty, political game play.
“The community is not interested in blame shifting at such an important and delicate time.
“Yesterday (Monday), at the first task force meeting chaired by Russell Schneider AM, the Director of Planning of Eurobodalla Shire Council Lindsay Usher, confirmed that the council was working well with OEH on the plan and at no point was it raised that the State Government was affecting the ability of the council to bring a dispersal action quickly.
“I have no written advice from the council about any concern, including no letter from the mayor.
“I was very concerned that the council director expressed that it was likely February was the more appropriate time frame based on the consultant's reports - the mayor sat silent.”
