Warmer temperatures can help facilitate safe departure of threatened species
Key points:
- Southern Myotis microbats are a threatened species under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act
- Managing their departure from the West Dapto Road construction site requires the implementation of a Microbat Management Plan approved by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
- The warmer months allow Council to progress plans to facilitate the bats departure to an alternative habitat once a threshold of consistent overnight temperatures is reached.
- Construction has continued around the site, with works required to re-open the road to traffic more than 80 per cent complete.
The weather is getting warmer, and Wollongong City Council is moving forward on plans to safely facilitate the departure of a microbat colony from a culvert on West Dapto Road.
Classed as a threatened species under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act, Southern Myotis microbats play an important role in our ecosystem. They typically live in heavily wooded areas, but in areas undergoing urbanisation, they can be found in bridges and culverts, particularly through winter hibernation.
The discovery of the colony has required careful management, including a construction exclusion zone and the implementation of a Microbat Management Plan approved by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
With a pre-exclusion inspection by an ecologist now complete, Council can begin active exclusion processes once overnight temperatures remain above 12 degrees for four consecutive nights. We are currently monitoring temperatures to determine when we can take additional measures to facilitate the safe departure of the colony.
While the threatened species cannot be forcibly removed, the exclusion process involves sealing any gaps at nighttime following microbats leaving to forage. The exclusion process will gradually continue until all gaps are sealed and the microbats have found alternative roost locations. This may include the four temporary habitat boxes installed by Council in June to facilitate passive exclusion.
While discovery of the bats in late May presented an unanticipated hurdle, works required to re-open the road to traffic are now approximately 82 per cent complete.
Lord Mayor of Wollongong Councillor Tania Brown is pleased to see the project progressing and expressed Council’s appreciation for the patience of the community through construction.
“All projects of this kind pose challenges, and this one has certainly presented its fair share for Council and the West Dapto community,” Cr Brown said.
“Closing a major road to traffic is not a decision that’s ever taken lightly, and we understand the frustration of residents given the extended timeframe beyond what was anticipated.
“Safely managing the departure of microbats is a unique challenge that requires very specific conditions that are largely out of our control. What I can assure the community, is that we’re taking and considering all measures to re-open the road as soon as possible.
“It has taken longer than anticipated, but we’re looking forward to completing this project and providing upgraded roads that will serve this growing community for many years to come.”
Works now completed include the relocation of all underground electrical, gas, water and NBN infrastructure, while placement of the lower and upper layers of pavement and kerb and gutter installation has started at the western end. Roundabout construction has also started, and piling works in preparation for the installation of the pedestrian bridge were recently completed.
Construction works will continue on this project after this section of West Dapto Road has reopened to traffic and we continue working through the feasibility of reopening one lane in morning and afternoon peaks considering how this would impact the construction program, safety, quality and cost.
