Funding Secured For Long-Term Management Of Flying Foxes

A long-term flying fox roost management plan will be developed for the region after a grant of $37,100 was secured by Burdekin Shire Council from the Queensland Government.

The plan will help Council and the community to manage the impacts of flying foxes on public health, community safety and amenity, while also protecting the important ecological role of these native animals.

Burdekin Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Terry Brennan welcomed the funding and said it would enable Council to engage an experienced consultant to develop the plan with input from various stakeholders.

"Council is grateful for this grant, which will allow us to address one of the most challenging environmental issues in our region,” Mr Brennan said.

“Flying foxes can cause problems for residents and businesses when they roost in urban areas so we need a balanced and sustainable approach to manage their presence and minimise their impacts.”

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science Leanne Linard said the Miles Government is committed to supporting local councils to manage the effects of flying foxes on their communities.

“We know that flying foxes can present challenges when they co-exist with residents, but these protected native animals also have a vital ecological role in dispersing seeds and pollinating flowering plants, as well as keeping our native forests healthy,” Ms Linard said.

“The successful projects in this latest round of grant funding will help to reduce the impacts of urban flying-fox roosts and support local communities to co-exist with flying foxes.”

Mr Brennan said the plan would include a comprehensive analysis of the local context, the available management options, the hierarchy of controls, the decision support framework and the management strategies for different scenarios.

"The plan will provide us with a clear and consistent framework to guide our actions and decisions regarding flying-fox roost management,” he said.

“It will also help us to comply with the relevant legislation and policies, and to align our efforts with the best practices in the field.”

Mr Brennan invited the community to participate in the development of the plan by providing feedback and suggestions through an online survey and a community information workshop.

The online survey will be available on Council's website mid-February and the community information workshop will be held at Burdekin Memorial Hall on February 21 at 6pm.

“Council want to hear from our community members about their views and experiences with flying foxes, and their expectations and preferences for roost management,” he said.

“This is an opportunity for everyone to have a say and contribute to a long-term solution that works for our region.”

Mr Brennan thanked the Queensland Government for its support and said Council looked forward to working with the consultant, the stakeholders and the community to develop and deliver the long-term flying-fox roost management plan.

‍

Flying foxes began roosting in Home Hill towards the end of 2023. Photo supplied

‍