Bingara Reserve Grey-headed flying-fox GHFF Residential Assistance Program
In March 2022 Council rolled out a Grey-headed flying-fox Residential Assistance Program residents living adjacent to the Bingara Reserve Grey-headed flying-fox camp.
Based on similar successful schemes undertaken by other NSW Councils, the trial Residential Assistance Program offers a one off payment of up to $1,000 to eligible residents. The assistance can be used to purchase goods or services that will ensure that can better assist them to live alongside the GHFF camp. Given that everyone’s impacts are different, the resident can choose any goods/services ranging including but not limited to removal of flying fox food trees on a property to the purchase of clothes-line, pool covers, car covers and air conditioners, however the product/service must mitigate the impact of GHFF.
To receive the assistance, residents are been notified by mail about the program with a link to an online form which steps them through the process. Once an application has been received it will be evaluated by Council staff with 50% of funds being released on approval of the proposed purchase (which requires providing a quote for goods/services) and final payment of 50% on receipt of final report including a photo and proof of purchase.
Round three
Letters were delivered to those local residents that immediately adjoin the flying-fox camp in October 2023 offering a further round of grant funding. Applications are now open with funding allocated on a first in first served basis until available funding is exhausted. Please think about what might assist you best and obtain quotes to include in your application.
Round two
Letters were delivered to a further 45 properties in December that lie within 100m of the furthest known extent of the Bingara flying-fox camp with details of the program and a QR code link to a private council webpage and electronic application form. Applications were reviewed in early 2023.
13 applications were reviewed and approved by Council’s Natural Areas Team with final payments completed in June 2023.
Round one
Letters were delivered to the 70 residences immediately adjacent to the Bingara flying fox camp on 11 March 2022 with details of the program and a QR code link to a private council webpage and electronic application form.
13 applications were reviewed and approved by Council’s Natural Areas Team with final payments completed in August 2022
