Anzac Day Under Threat From Flying Fox Influx

With hundreds of people expected to gather in Home Hill’s Memorial Park to commemorate Anzac Day in April, members of the RSL Home Hill Sub Branch have shared their concerns that a colony of flying foxes roosting at the park may cause a safety risk to attendees.

Sub Branch President Richard Kelly and Secretary Allan Petersen recently approached Burdekin Shire Council with their concerns, and while Council confirmed plans to relocate the flying foxes over the next couple of months, Mr Petersen fears it will be too late.

“There is a responsibility that we have, an obligation that we have to meet to provide a safe venue,” Mr Petersen said.

“I’d like to see it earlier and give the park a chance to get cleaned up while we’re getting a bit of rain.

“It’s going to take a little while to clean the park up to be suitable to let people in under those trees.”

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RSL Sub Branch President Richard Kelly and Secretary Allan Petersen are concerned flying foxes will derail Anzac Day plans in Memorial Park. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Council Makes Moves To Disperse Flying Foxes

For the last few months, a colony of flying foxes has resided in Home Hill, most notably in Kidby Gully and Memorial Park, with Burdekin Shire Council confirming that dispersal activities have commenced.

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the dispersal activities, part of Council’s approved permit from the Department of Environment, use non-lethal methods such as light and sound devices, gas guns and ammunition shots.

“I want to reassure residents, that Council must adhere to the permit conditions which sees no flying fox be harmed in dispersal activities,” Ms McLaughlin said.

“The methods used by Council officers are humane and effective, and comply with the permit conditions and animal welfare standards.”

Council will not conduct any dispersal activities in the areas where baby flying foxes are present, which causes concern for the RSL Home Hill Sub Branch, who fear the Memorial Park colony will make the venue unsafe come Anzac Day on April 25.

While catching diseases directly from flying foxes is extremely unlikely, and there are no confirmed cases of anyone getting sick from touching flying-fox faeces, urine or blood, the animals are known to carry life-threatening viruses Hendra virus and Australian Bat Lyssavirus.

Sub Branch President Allan Kelly is also concerned about the associated noise and worries that flying foxes will deter attendees.

“They’ve tried elsewhere, and it’s taken them months and months to get rid of them (flying foxes),” he said.

“We’ve got a big ceremony here on Anzac Day and we can’t expect kids and grown ups to come here with this around them.

“We’re going to lose patronage, so they’ve got to do something and do it quick.”

“I’ll give the Council their due, they have reacted very quickly in giving us a response,” added Sub Branch Secretary Allan Petersen.

“They know there’s responsibilities you’ve got to meet with a venue for stuff like this.

“Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance and it’s a very important part of Australia’s behaviour.

“If these things do cause a major issue, we can’t have it here, it’s as simple as that, unless we have people sitting out in the sun.”

Council’s dispersals will be undertaken every Tuesday and Friday from approx. 4:30am to 7:00am until February 2.

Intense dispersal will commence in the first week of February, every day for one week.

After that, subsequent dispersals will be as necessary, depending on the flying fox population.

Burdekin Shire Council apologises for any inconvenience caused throughout the dispersal activities and appreciates the cooperation and understanding of the community during the dispersal activities.

For more information, please contact the Council on 4783 9800.

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Burdekin Shire Council has commenced flying fox dispersal activities in Kidby Gully, Arch Dunn Park and known roost sites in Home Hill. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie