Rudder Park Flying-fox Camp Management Plan
There are many flying-fox camps within the Kempsey Shire including a permanent camp in Rudder Park in East Kempsey.
Kempsey Shire Council has developed a Rudder Park Flying-Fox Camp Management Plan(PDF, 4MB) to minimise impacts of the species on neighbouring residents.
The flying-foxes found in Rudder Park are listed as a vulnerable species and as such, Council can not interfere with the colony.
The objectives of this plan are to:
- manage community impacts and concerns about the camp
- ensure the welfare of the flying-foxes and their conservation in appropriate locations
- ensure Council meets its legislative responsibilities in all management activities
What has already happened?
In 2020, a first round of vegetation buffer works were undertaken at Rudder Park. Vegetation buffers are essentially portions of land cleared of exotic species so that native plants are preserved or established.
Approximately 1800 square metres of exotic vegetation was removed and replaced with low growing native vegetation species not suitable for flying-fox roosting. This is to encourage the species to roost closer towards the Macleay River rather than near houses.
Post-clearing, monthly monitoring of the flying-fox camp was undertaken by project ecologist to ensure no adverse impacts on the flying-fox colony.
Weeds and regrowth capable of providing roosting habitat in the Stage 1 area was also cleared in 2020.
What is happening next?
In 2022, Stage 2 of the vegetation buffer works will be undertaken in late June-July. The work will include the removal of around 0.4 hectares of exotic vegetation to establish a vegetated buffer at the camp that is not suitable for flying-fox roosting.
During this time, Rudder Park will be closed to the public for around three weeks as chemicals will be used to remove exotic vegetation.
All works will again be supervised by the Project Ecologist to minimise disturbance to the flying-foxes during works.
Council will be at Kempsey Central Shopping Centre on Wednesday 8 June 2022 from 9:30 -11:30AM.
Learn more about flying-foxes