Port Stephens Council is urging Raymond Terrace residents to fill in a survey on their website which will help develop a management plan for the local grey-headed flying fox camp.
The animals are located on both sides of Adelaide Street, in Ross Wallbridge Reserve and Newbury Park and the population has recently grown due to a dry season in the west of the state and native trees flowering out of season.
The flying fox colonies are protected under federal and state government legislation due to their ecological importance.
Council's Natural Resources Coordinator Les Seddon says although seen as a nuisance, flying foxes play an important part in the environment.
"They are very important for the ecology due to their pollinating and spreading of seed for native flora - they actually help to support lots of endangered plant species and communities, basically by their ability to spread seed over vast distances up and down the east coast of Australia," he said.
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| Flying Fox Numbers Have Increased Dramatically In Raymond Terrace Picture: Pt Stephens Council |
