THE REGION’S Flying Fox population, and how it is handled, is under scrutiny by council.
Collinsville has had a problem with thousands of Flying Foxes (bats) roosting in trees in residents’ gardens, since 2021.
Numerous complaints have been received on the basis of noise, odour and droppings, and the potential effects on human health.
In October 2023, council engaged a contractor to apply a pyrotechnics (fireworks) form of deterrent, to herd the Flying Fox out of town.
The exercise – which came at a cost of more than $400,000 – did make a temporary difference and for a short time resulted in the Flying Foxes moving to nearby Pelican Creek.
However, the colony – currently numbering about 3,500 bats in 11 trees on seven properties – has returned, resulting in more complaints.
At the Whitsunday Regional Council Ordinary Meeting, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Natural Resource Manager Scott Hardy sought clarification from council on how to manage the bats.
Mr Hardy presented various options to councillors, saying ‘there are some options for us going forward’.
He also gave a summary of the public consultation, which took place from June 4 to July 7, 2024, with 29 submissions received.
Key feedback included a ‘strong desire from some submitters to re-locate Flying Foxes and put people first’ and ‘support for (further) pyrotechnics and tree trimming, by the majority of directly affected residents’.
There was also community support for financial incentives for resident lifestyle mitigations, education, and planting roost trees outside the town, if the Flying Foxes could not be relocated.
Division 1 Councillor Jan Clifford proposed a Procedural Motion to defer the decision, until a consultant’s report is received, in October.
Referring to the cost of a second pyrotechnic deterrent exercise, at $66,000, she said it was ‘throwing good money after bad’.
“I would like this to lay on the table until we get the report in October – I will entertain removing the trees,” she said.
“I supported the original motion, last year, and I feel for the residents, but I feel we are throwing good money after bad if we support this…we have got to do the best we can with the resources we have.
“That’s a lot of money – $400,000 in one year. This one obviously hasn’t worked.”
Division 4 Councillor Michelle Wright disagreed, putting in an impassioned plea for the Collinsville residents.
“People in Collinsville are prisoners in their own homes,” she said.
“We give so much money and support to so many organisations but this is a health and safety issue….I really don’t think this is a waste of money.
“If council doesn’t play a role, people will take this into their own hands.”
Mayor Ry Collins supported the deferment but said he was ‘not averse to putting a timeline on it’.
“We have gone down a path of engaging a specialist and we need to stay the course with that,” he said.
The Procedural Motion to defer was carried by four votes to two, with Councillors Michelle Wright and John Collins voting against.
A Division was recorded at Cr Wright’s request.
