Protect Yarra Bend's Grey-headed Flying-fox Colony & Habitat

North East Link construction works are commencing close to the Yarra Bend Grey-headed Flying-fox colony.

The colony has shifted significantly since the original project assessment and is now located within approximately 50 metres of major construction works, exposing the colony to heavy machinery, significant noise, vibration and ongoing disturbance.

We are calling on the Victorian and Australian Governments to postpone major construction works near the colony until after the critical birthing and pup-rearing period, and to ensure this nationally important colony and its habitat are properly protected throughout construction.

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WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR

We are calling on the Victorian and Australian Governments to:

• POSTPONE major construction works near the colony for approximately six months, until dependent young are sufficiently independent and the period of greatest extreme-heat risk has passed. This should particularly apply to works involving heavy machinery, significant noise, vibration, lighting or other major disturbance.

• REVIEW existing environmental protections in light of the colony's changed location and its current proximity to construction.

• PROTECT the colony and surrounding habitat from construction impacts throughout the project.

• INDEPENDENTLY MONITOR the colony during major construction activities and take appropriate action if significant disturbance or harm is observed.

• MAINTAIN SAFE WILDLIFE ACCESS so appropriately trained wildlife responders can reach injured, displaced or orphaned flying-foxes if required.