THERE has been much discussion on how Whitsunday Regional Council should approach Flying Fox issues across the region.
At last Wednesday’s Ordinary Council Meeting (December 11), a proposed new Flying Fox Policy was adopted by Council.
Residents of Collinsville, where Flying Foxes are very prevalent, are currently being advised, by way of a letter, how the new policy affects them.
The estimated Flying Fox population in Collinsville, on December 6, 2024, was 3,460 individuals, with 2,940 Little Reds and 520 Black Flying Fox.
On December 12, Council received a petition regarding Flying Foxes, with 133 signatures.
The letter to residents states that Council recognises that the Flying Foxes are ‘creating a community nuisance’.
“Council has engaged Biodiversity Assessment and Management (BAM) Ltd to review the Council Policy, Management Plan and Collinsville Roost Management Plan. This review is now completed,” the letter says.
The main changes to the Flying Fox Policy, in relation to Flying Foxes on private land are:
- Flying Foxes are primarily considered a responsibility of the landholder and Council encourages landholders to take appropriate legal actions to move Flying Fox and prevent them roosting on private property.
- Council may co-ordinate the management of Flying Fox roosts in consultation with the landholder/s.
- Flying Fox roosts that are significantly impacting residents or the community will be subject to a Flying Fox Site Assessment.
- Appropriate, non-lethal management measures will be considered and, where acceptable, undertaken to manage the roost, dependent on the assessment, as well as the cost and likelihood of success, where appropriate in partnership with landholders and within Council’s allocated annual budget.
- Monitoring of post-management actions will be used to inform ongoing management.
The new Flying Fox Policy impacts residents in the following ways:
Council will provide advice to residents regarding Flying Foxes.
Council will seek State Government funding to conduct large, co-ordinated dispersals and/or possible subsidies to assist with roost management and Flying Fox impacts.
Council staff may assist with the co-ordination of dispersal attempts.
Council will seek to develop a cost-sharing scheme to fund tree trimming on private land. This scheme should be developed by March 2025.
The Flying Fox dispersal and deterrents will be reviewed in February and, if there is a need to disperse, Council staff will contact residents at this time with a view to implementing actions, in March 2025.
Residents impacted by Flying Foxes can obtain further information by contacting Council’s Natural Resource Management and Climate work unit on 4945 0245.
