Charters Towers Regional Council Ceases Flying-Fox Dispersals

Charters Towers Regional Council has ceased flying-fox dispersal activities due to black flying-foxes carrying young.

On 9 September, Council initiated dispersal activities to disperse flying-foxes from Lissner Park after a significant influx of Little Red flying-foxes.

Mayor Liz Schmidt said, "Given the presence of young flying-foxes, Council has no option but to stop dispersal activities in Lissner Park at this time to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the young."

As part of its ongoing Flying-Fox Management Strategy, Council has released a survey on the ‘Have Your Say’ platform to gather feedback from residents and visitors on the impact of flying-foxes, which will significantly inform the strategy being developed.

The development of a sustainable Flying-Fox Management Plan will ideally form a framework for how flying-foxes within the region will be managed, rather than relying on short-term reactive responses that serve no long-term goal.

Mayor Schmidt added, “The development of such a plan will hopefully allow us to seek out favourable roosting sites, allowing the community to co-exist with the flying-foxes.

“Ideally, going forward, with the implementation of such a plan, we can regain our great town, keeping our parks, homes, and community facilities free of flying-fox.”

Council acknowledges the inconvenience caused by the presence of flying-foxes and reassures the community that all necessary measures are being taken to manage the situation effectively, prioritising public safety while preserving the local ecosystem.

Council thanks the community for their understanding and cooperation during this period and encourages the community to Have Your Say: https://haveyoursay.charterstowers.qld.gov.au/

The survey is open until COB Wednesday, 2 October.  Hard copies are available from Council’s Administration Centre and the Excelsior Library.

[ENDS]