Council calls on flying fox experts

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Council is calling in flying fox experts to provide advice on how best to manage the Wallace Park flying fox colony.

Councillors last night voted to have expert consultants develop a management plan for the colony which has built up over the past two years.

Council first started receiving complaints about noise, odour and droppings in January 2014. Since then, some buffer works have been carried out, but Council thought it would be good to get further advice from a business that has significant experience in flying fox management.

Cr Tony Wellington said the consultants would liaise with residents, stakeholders and Council staff, and then prepare a draft management plan containing recommendations and costs. 

“With the decision at last night's Ordinary Meeting, the consultants can get started immediately,” he said.

Cr Wellington said Council sympathised with those who had been suffering from the impacts of the bat colony. 

“I can certainly appreciate how frustrating the situation is for residents and businesses close to Wallace Park,” he said. "I have spoken to many of them. Some are tolerating the situation well whereas others are not."

Council will also trim back vegetation along the fire trail behind Lewis Street and Sunrise Avenue at Tewantin. This work will be subject to a budget allocation and also the prevailing conditions. 

“We hope to begin this work soon, but there are a couple of hurdles, including the fact the site is currently waterlogged,” Cr Wellington said.

"This makes it impossible to get equipment in place. The state’s Flying Fox Code of Practice also prevents us from starting while flying foxes are still roosting where the works are to be carried out. The overall numbers of animals in Wallace Park have decreased significantly. Once the remaining bats have moved away from the fire trail, we can hopefully begin that work."

“We can’t be certain whether flying foxes will return to Wallace Park in large numbers the way they have over the past two seasons. But by having a comprehensive Flying Fox Management Plan in place, we will at least have some clear steps as to how best we can manage the problem.”

31 July 2015