In June of 2016 the NSW Government announced that $1 million in grants would be made available for local councils to create and enact management plans for flying fox colonies in areas where they caused significant impacts.

Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson said the NSW Government ‘s flying fox grant program aimed to reduce the impact of their colonies on communities.

“There are a range of options the council can consider in their plan to manage flying foxes including vegetation trimming or removal to create buffer zones,” she said

“The grant aims at helping Councils prepare management plans and then implement them.”

Young district Landcare Coordinator Mikla Lewis said they support the plan to manage local flying foxes and their protection.

“We have been asked to have some input at a later date,” she said.

Hilltops Council General Manager Anthony McMahon said the Council will be looking at consulting with experts and the community in the creation of the plan.

“We will be looking to develop a plan that creates an effective framework for a long-term management of flying fox in order to alleviate their impact throughout the area,” he said.

“Residents who are interested in being involved in the development of the plan are encouraged to contact the Council to register their interest.”

There are three different species of flying foxes in NSW alone the grey-headed flying fox, the black flying fox and little red flying fox.

According to NSW Environment the grey-headed flying fox is easily recognisable by its rusty reddish-coloured collar, grey head and hairy legs. It is also considered to be the most vulnerable species of flying fox in NSW.

The black flying-fox is almost completely black in colour with only a slight rusty red-coloured collar and a light frosting of silvery grey on its belly. 

The little red flying fox is the smallest Australian flying-fox and has reddish brown-coloured fur. Little reds will often fly much further inland than other flying-foxes.