HUNTER MP Joel Fitzgibbon has expressed anger at the Federal Environment Minister’s announcement of a package to assist a south coast council with its flying fox problem while giving no consideration to the same issues in the Hunter region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Fitzgibbon said Mr Hunt should extend the same assistance package that he had offered to Eurobodalla Council to Hunter Councils.
“I’ve had many conversations with the minister including one this morning in which he cited a substantial submission he has received from Eurobodalla Council”, Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“I’ve also spoken with the Mayor of Eurobodalla who tells me the Council is investing $100,000 in their plan.
Mr Fitzgibbon said the inability of local councils to invest large amounts of money in a strategy document should not be a barrier to government assistance.
In some areas, such as Cessnock, there is dispute about whether the flying fox roosting areas are the responsibility of the council or the NSW government because they are on crown land.
“Councils are reluctant to invest large amounts of money in dispersal plans when there is no guarantee of NSW and Commonwealth Government approval. They have been bitten in the past,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“The Minister must extend the same consideration to Hunter Councils as he has to Eurobodalla”
