Tuesday, 1 August 2023

Northern Victoria Region

Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (14:35): (297) My question is for the Minister for Environment. Again I wish to raise concerns about the colony of 38,000 grey-headed flying foxes, or bats, in Rosalind Park in the centre of Bendigo. Last Friday I was advised by a constituent that due to the bats swarming around at dawn and dusk the air ambulance is unable to land safely at the Bendigo Hospital helipad and is being diverted to the Bendigo Airport, where patients are then transported by ambulance to the hospital. I am told it is adding 45 minutes to the patient’s treatment and precious time for those experiencing cardiac stress. Apparently eight air ambulances have been diverted within the last two weeks due to the bats, and hospital executives have met with the local council to discuss the issue. Given this is a state government responsibility and the bats are delaying air ambulances and putting lives at risk, can the minister please confirm if she is aware of this situation, and if so, advise what is being done to urgently relocate the bats?