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| The flying fox crisis continues. Image: theherald.com.au |
Residents in the Hunter have long suffered the severe impacts caused by colonies of flying foxes.
Yesterday the Parliamentary Committee into the impact of flying foxes on urban communities tabled its report in Federal Parliament.
The inquiry was established last year by Hunter Federal MP, Joel Fitzgibbon in response to the ongoing issue of flying foxes throughout the Hunter.
The Committee put forward a number of recommendations to government including ways to address complexities associated with multiple levels of government and the confusing web of regulations and the call for more funding to aid research.
"The Committee has recommended that a working group be set up in the COAG framework and talk about how we help councils work their way through the web of dual responsibilities between the Commonwealth and the State," said Joel Fitzgibbon.
Mr Fitzgibbon says it is a balancing act to protect the endangered species and also correct the problem faced by local communities.
"The committee has done two things; it's recognised that flying foxes do play an important in our ecology and they are in decline and need protecting but it's also recognised that communities are being adversely affected", said Mr Fitzgibbon.
Mr Fitzgibbon says he hopes the government will take on board the recommendations for funding and better communication and gives local councils the tools to respond when communities come under siege.
