A central Bendigo school has purchased umbrellas to protect staff from bat droppings, as the community continues to struggle with the colony of grey-headed flying foxes in Rosalind Park.
The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has again raised the issue in Parliament saying there were now health concerns over the bats.
Ms Broad said Bendigo Senior Secondary College, which has more than 1800 students, is adjacent to Rosalind Park, where the colony of grey-headed flying foxes has at times exceeded 38,000 bats.
“There is constant screeching and smell and the excrement on the footpaths has caused both staff and students to slip or fall over,” Ms Broad told Parliament.
“The school recently purchased 30 umbrellas for staff undertaking yard duty to protect them from bat droppings as thousands of bats constantly fly above the school grounds.”
Ms Broad said Rosalind Park was once a stunning public park and a space where students could go to relax during breaks, but this had now stopped.
“Many residents are saying that the smell and noise of the bats have made the park unusable.
“The fernery opposite the school’s front entrance remains locked up and closed to the public because it is now home to the colony of bats.
“When a colony of bats were located at the botanic gardens in Melbourne, they were relocated.”
“I urge the government take action to relocate the bats from Rosalind Park in Bendigo and protect the health, safety and wellbeing of staff, students and the wider community.”
A petition asking the government to consider all options to relocate the bats is currently underway and has more than 1700 signatures.
The petition is open until August 17 and can be signed online at: relocate-flying-foxes-from-rosalind-park-bendigo
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
