Council moves to improve buffer between Flying-foxes and residents

Noosa Council has commenced actions aimed at assisting residents living near the Wallace Park flying-fox colony.

Councillor Tony Wellington advised that flying-fox numbers have dropped significantly over the last few weeks. "As was predicted, the numbers of animals residing at Wallace Park have plummeted as local food sources have dried up," he said. "The total number of flying-foxes has gone from around 15,000 a couple of weeks ago to just 2,000 animals. So now is a good time for Council to undertake vegetation works. Council aims to trim trees and branches along the edges of Wallace Park Environmental Reserve. This will help widen buffers between residents and flying-foxes."

According to Council's Environment staff, the flying-foxes started arriving at Wallace Park last summer. The animals move around in response to the availability of their food, which includes nectar from flowers and also succulent fruits. Officers from Noosa Council and the State Department of Environment and Heritage Protection have been monitoring the local flying foxes.

"At one stage there were over 500,000 bats in the Wallace Park precinct," said Cr Wellington. "It is not known how long the remaining bats will continue to make Wallace Park their home. Flying-foxes will always move around the Noosa coast and hinterland areas, as they have done for centuries."

The Councillor was also concerned about misleading information regarding dispersal actions on the Sunshine Coast. "There have been a number of stories about neighbouring Sunshine Coast Council dispersing flying fox colonies," he said.

"In fact there has been only one dispersal attempt, and that was at Cassia Wildlife Corridor in Coolum. Following that recent attempt, the animals have actually returned to the site and so further dispersal efforts may be undertaken there. After speaking with Sunshine Coast Council staff, I can confirm that no other dispersal attempts have been carried out on the Coast, and nor are any planned by our southern neighbours in the near future. At Tepequar Drive, Maroochydore, the Sunshine Coast Council has carried out some tree trimming to improve buffer zones, much like the actions Noosa Council will be undertaking at Wallace Park. However the Sunshine Coast Council does not have appropriate permits to relocate the Maroochydore colony. Reports about dispersals at Buderim and Palmwoods appear to be mischievous."

"I appreciate that this is a vexed issue, with different interest groups joining the debate.  However moving a colony is not simple, and the ideal scenario will always be that the animals choose to disperse of their own accord. That is what we are hoping will occur at Wallace Park with the remaining flying-foxes. In the meantime, while the numbers are very low, Council will undertake some mitigation works to improve the buffer zone.

"It is worth noting that flying-fox colonies do not represent a threat to the health of nearby humans. However residents should not handle flying-foxes, or even smaller micro-bats, as they may carry viruses that can be transmitted by direct contact.

"Flying-foxes are essential for the pollination of many native plants. However they are certainly reducing in numbers due to the actions of humans. I thank the many residents in the Wallace Park area for their forbearance over the past few months. I know that the smell and noise from large numbers of flying-foxes can be unpleasant to some."

16 July 2014