Funding application for flying fox management

Published: 26 May 2021. (Note: information was correct at date of publication but may have since been changed or superseded.)

An application for $121,000 has been made to the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning for funding to assist with ongoing flying fox management at the Cairns City Library site.

Council has successfully managed the flying fox colony at the Cairns City Library site since 4 July 2020 in accordance with the Cairns Flying-Fox Roost Management Plan (CFFRMP).

Council’s activities on the site have been successful on two fronts, for the wellbeing of the animals and for the community.

Significantly, there have only been six recorded spectacled flying fox deaths at the Cairns Library in the past year, that is in contrast to previous years where over 200-400 mortalities have been recorded at the site.

The absence of flying foxes from the City Library site has also been welcomed by the community residents, who are able to use this public space without incident.

Council works in collaboration with State and Federal Governments on all matters relating to management of spectacled flying foxes, including compliance, conservation and recovery planning.