'The poops are everywhere': Residents say lives 'ruined' by 20,000 bats

"I can't tell you how many times I've been covered in poop," Hussain said.   

"Me too," Zaman added.

"The poops are everywhere, on my windows and doors, my car and if we go outside at the wrong time we get hit," they both said.

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Hussain and Zaman are just two of dozens of residents who live near a bat colony at Macquarie Fields, south west of Sydney.  

As many as 20,000 bats are believed to be in the colony just metres away from residents.

"They start screeching at 3.30am. My kids and I haven't had a good night's sleep for years," said Nira in villa three, that backs on to the bushland reserve.

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"Campbelltown Council just doesn't care. The bats have more rights than us and our lives and homes are being ruined," said Jim, who has lived in the area for 50 years.

"They moved in a few years ago but because they are a protected species no one is allowed to touch them. But what about us? Why aren't we protected?"

Zaman said his new car has had the paint stripped from it, as the bat poop removes the paint if it's not removed immediately.  

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"But who can stand out here all day with a hose when it happens?" he said. 

He's not the only one. 

Many cars have ruined paintwork.

Windows and doors are rarely opened as the smell of up to 20,000 bats is "just terrible".

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Conservation experts and council say bats are a protected species and an essential mix in the natural environment helping in the pollination process.

That doesn't bring any comfort to locals.  

"Our lives are miserable and we are trapped here," Jim said. 

"Who'd want to buy here, with these things as neighbours?".

Statement by a Campbelltown City Council spokesperson

Council's Grey Headed Flying Fox Camp Management Plan balances the concerns of residents with the requirement to protect flying foxes under NSW and Commonwealth environmental legislation.

As part of the management plan, a residential assistance program provided financial support to help residents purchase products and services to mitigate the impact of living near a flying fox colony.

Work has started to revegetate nearby habitat in order to attract the flying foxes away from the affected houses.

A variety of environmentally-sensitive works are also being investigated to further reduce the impact on residents, including the planting of non-flying fox habitat and installation of a sprinkler system to create a buffer between the colony and affected houses.