Bent Hill Council officially recognizes drop bears as ‘protected pest species’ after tourist incident causes 89% revenue drop. Local businesses adapt strategies.

BENT HILL, NSW — Picked up the trail about six k’s south of town, followed it right to the council chambers. Got there two hours after they’d voted. Still smelled like fear-sweat and bad coffee. Biscuit wouldn’t go past the main doors, which told me everything I needed to know about how that meeting had gone. September was when the drop bears started taking people in broad daylight. Council won’t call it that in the minutes, but I’ve seen the incident reports. Three separate encounters, all during tour groups, all involving what witnesses described as thirty-foot drops, direct targeting, and what one described as deliberate timing.

The motion establishes drop bears as a ‘Protected Pest Species’ — a classification created specifically for this vote that grants the creatures legal recognition while authorizing standard pest control measures. Final vote was unanimous. Mayor Patricia Jenkins noted that insurance considerations remained ‘an ongoing factor in the decision-making process.’

— Councillor Mark Peterson

Tourism operator Sandra Webb, whose ‘Authentic Outback Experience’ packages previously attracted 2,400 international visitors monthly, reported zero bookings since late September. ‘The Germans were very understanding about the whole thing,’ Webb said, gesturing toward a stack of cancellation forms. ‘The Japanese sent a very polite letter explaining they would be exploring alternative destinations until further notice.’

Classification Details Remain Contested

The Department of Cryptid Affairs has yet to formally respond to the council’s classification, though DCA Senior Cryptid Classification Liaison Arthur Pritchard confirmed the agency is ‘reviewing the paperwork with appropriate urgency.’ When pressed for a timeline, Pritchard noted that similar reviews typically take ‘several months to several years, depending on the complexity of the entity in question.’

Local pest control operator Dennis Wright expressed cautious optimism about the council’s decision, though he acknowledged his standard equipment ‘may require some modifications.’ Wright declined to elaborate on what those modifications might involve, citing ‘professional confidentiality and personal safety concerns.’

Council’s putting a 2.5% levy on accommodation bookings. Morrison called it proactive fiscal planning for the current situation. Mentioned the revenue projections were lower than expected.

— Mayor Patricia Jenkins

Field note: if you’re planning to visit Bent Hill in the next few months, stick to the main roads and avoid stopping under any tree that looks like it might be occupied. The council’s paperwork doesn’t change the fact that they’re still up there, and they’re still hungry.