Flying-fox vegetation work to begin in April

Noosa Council will begin vegetation works near the Wallace Park flying-fox roost in April.

Principal Environment Officer, Peter Milne, said Council would selectively clear vegetation to maintain a 10-metre buffer between the roost and neighbouring homes.

Mr Milne said the work had to wait until April to comply with national environmental law.

“Works in or near a roost site are guided by environmental codes of practice to ensure there are no significant impacts on flying-foxes which are protected under state and national law. 

“Under the National Referral Guidelines, works cannot commence if there are dependant flying-fox young in the camp. We’ve recently inspected the colony to confirm that works can now proceed, weather permitting.

“Council appreciates that the flying-foxes are a source of concern for some residents. Thankfully the seasonal influx of little red flying-foxes has also headed north.

“Consultants Ecosure recommended selective vegetation clearing to provide separation between the Wallace Park flying-fox camp and neighbouring residents,” Mr Milne said.

Ecosure also recommended investigating the use of deterrents, such as a sprinkler system, to ‘nudge’ the bats further from residential boundaries.

“Council will be able to consider the use of boundary sprinklers at a future meeting once costs for such a system are finalised,” Mr Milne said. 

1 April 2016