DESPITE the intense scrutiny of the Newry Island Bridge by council and consultants over the past few months, inspections failed to pick up a colony of microbats roosting underneath the wooden beams.
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The roost was found by surprised workers as they prepared to dismantle the bridge and once discovered, the bridge reconstruction stopped while ecological consultant, Alicia Scalon, was brought in to advise on relocating the colony.
The microbats are listed as a threatened species under NSW State legislation and Alicia said in an ideal situation, the bats would have been detected some time back so a process of exclusion could have been implemented.
“Generally if a colony is identified early enough, you create an alternative habitat and transplant a colony by slowly closing off the current roost so they learn to live in the alternate one,” Alicia said.
“It’s a successful method but you need a couple of months in advance.”
The hold-up in bridge construction, coming on top of poor weather, has both Newry Island residents and council concerned about meeting the scheduled Thursday morning opening deadline.
In a statement released by council, they described the project as being “challenged by a number of environmental factors including weather and the presence of microbats who are listed as a threatened species”.
In addition, council said they had been working with local ecologists in liaison with the Office of Environment and Heritage to maintain and improve the current microbat roost opportunities under the bridge.
“More specifically additional nest boxes made from hollow logs are being put in place out of the way of construction activities. This includes a number both under the bridge and near vegetation adjacent to the river. Use of existing bridge materials has also sought to maintain the desirability of the microbat roost,” council said.
At this stage council has given assurances that environmental matters will be adhered to and completing the work in the most expeditious manner possible.
Council has established a 24-hour information line, arranged the provision of a boat and licensed operator to ferry community members from the island to the mainland and return, arranged car parking for vehicles left on the mainland and sorted changed arrangements for school buses.
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