Silver lining for Parramatta's local pollinators

New trees and population monitoring are some of the bat-friendly measures Transport for NSW is undertaking to help protect Parramatta’s vulnerable Grey-Headed Flying Fox during construction of the Parramatta Light Rail.

The Parramatta Light Rail team is collecting data for its Grey-Headed Flying Fox Monitoring Program, which will inform construction and conservation methods for the Critical State Significant Infrastructure project.

“Our major infrastructure projects all need to do their bit to look after local flora and fauna and we are committed to supporting this endangered flying fox, a nationally listed threatened species,” said Parramatta Light Rail program director Tim Poole.

“Today, National Threatened Species Day, is a day when we focus our attention on plants and animals under threat, think about how we can protect them and do our bit for biodiversity conservation along the light rail corridor."

The monitoring program will allow Transport for NSW to gain insights into the behaviour and population trends of flying fox colonies in Parramatta, with initial monitoring indicating a population of around 11,000 bats in locations including Parramatta Park and Cumberland Hospital East.

Mr Poole said suitable vegetation will be planted as part of the Parramatta Light Rail project, which can be used by the flying-fox colony as foraging habitat.

“It’s because of flying foxes that native bushland ecosystems survive,” Mr Poole said.

“The Grey-Headed Flying Fox has a crucial role to play in dispersing seeds and pollinating plants so it’s vital we implement measures to ensure their habitat is safe.”

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 will connect Westmead to Carlingford via Parramatta CBD and Camellia with a two-way track spanning 12 kilometres, to open in 2023.