Flying fox season updated #1, Dysart

Isaac Regional Council is aware of, and is continuing to monitor, flying fox locations and activity in the Dysart community.

Flying foxes migrate into the Isaac region townships 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.

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

DYSART

An estimated 5000 Little Red flying foxes have been identified in properties in the Garnham Drive area and surrounding streets.

Little Red flying foxes are a migratory species and move through the Isaac region annually, often establishing temporary camps in vegetated residential areas.

It has been a number of years since a significant migratory colony has established in the Dysart township so Council appreciates that this may be creating concern in community.

There are proactive steps homeowners can take to deter flying foxes from roosting in yards. However, once a roost is established, it is against the law to harm or disturb a flying fox colony.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

If your property has been a roosting site for flying foxes in the past, and they haven’t yet arrived in 2021, we recommend taking proactive vegetation management activities to deter flying foxes from roosting in yard.

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.

Other, non-harmful deterrents may also be of assistance such as placing predator decoys (eg owls) on verandahs or in trees or placing reflective or shiny deterrents (CDs or aluminium foil strips) in tree branches

However, these actions are only able to be used in locations prior to flying fox camps establishing. If a camp has been established, residents are reminded that any activities that may result in the disturbance of a roosting flying fox colony or individual flying fox may result in prosecution under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

For further information regarding the dispersal process, contact the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection or Isaac Regional Council's Environment and Biodiversity department.

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 on the below link: environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/bats/flying-foxes/roost-management#management_of_flying_fox_roosts

FLYING FOX – STATEMENT OF MANAGEMENT INTENT

We have 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 colonies.

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

Council’s vegetation management activities of roost trees on Council land utilises the removal of sheltering canopy and is capped at 10 per cent of the canopy, per annum, in accordance with the DES Code of Practice for low impact activities affecting flying-fox colonies.

For more information visit 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).

Jeff Stewart-Harris Chief Executive Officer