2020-21 flying fox season update #2, Isaac region

Flying foxes migrate into Isaac region townships between September and April each year which is a part of a greater yearly migration across the Australian eastern coast.

Flying foxes are protected wildlife in Queensland under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, with some species classified as endangered. It is important to note that Australian flying foxes DO NOT carry the COVID-19 coronavirus.

CLERMONT

Isaac Regional Council advises that Centenary Park will be partially closed, and the western public access gate temporarily closed from:

Thursday, 5 November 2020

Until further notice

Council understands the impact on park users and is undertaking planning to minimise disruptions to park users in the future.

Temporary fencing will be constructed this week to isolate a roost of up to 80,000 little red flying foxes that have progressively grown since their arrival since September. The temporary fencing is necessary to minimise risks of falling tree limbs on park users.

The roost is away from residential backyards, in the trees on the south bank of Hoods Lagoon (corner of Capella and Lime streets). This site is considered a protected roost, under Queensland Government legislation, as flying foxes have used this site for breeding and rearing young, this has impacted on the potential vegetation management.

MORANBAH

An estimated 50,000 Little Red flying foxes are continuing to roost in backyards in Moranbah in Koala Terrace and Forrest Drive, with a small splinter colony in the Chifley Court and Mills Avenue area.

FLYING FOX MANAGEMENT STARTS AT HOME

Residents are reminded that it is against the law to harm or disturb a flying fox roost, and unplanned and unauthorised actions can impact the community.

If a property has been a popular roosting site for flying foxes in the past, and they haven’t yet arrived in 2020, Council recommends taking proactive vegetation management activities to deter flying foxes from roosting in the backyard.

The best way to do this is to trim or remove potential camp trees prior to arrival of the flying foxes, commonly mature Mango, Fig, or Poinciana species. Little red flying foxes can also camp in eucalypts, palm and other trees.

Flying fox roost management needs to be undertaken in accordance with the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science (DES) guidelines and codes of practice.

Information is available online here: https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/bats/flying-foxes/roost-management#management_of_flying_fox_roosts

Council has adopted a Statement of Management Intent to guide its management of flying foxes in the Isaac region.

Since its adoption, Council has saved ratepayers over $200,000 per annum in costs associated with management of flying fox roosts.

Dispersal activities have no guarantee of success, and potentially spread roosts over a larger area or shift roosts from public lands into private backyards.

For more information visit https://www.isaac.qld.gov.au/environment-water-waste/flying-foxes or phone Council’s Customer Service Centre available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227).

Gary Stevenson PSM Chief Executive Officer