Flying-fox roost plans address community and conservation concerns
Scenic Rim Regional Council has adopted management plans for Flying-fox roosts at Canungra and Beaudesert in response to community concerns over the bats' impact on residents and businesses.
The six-month pilot plans for Canungra Creek Lions Park and Beaudesert Lions Centennial Park will enable Council to carry out time-critical vegetation works and continue its community consultation during August 2023 to update the Scenic Rim Flying-Fox Management Strategy.
Mayor Greg Christensen said the roost management plans adopted at Council's Ordinary Meeting this week were the result of Council's work over the past 12 months with residents and expert ecologists in the field of Flying-fox behaviour.
"The Scenic Rim is home to multiple species of Flying-fox which, like all native animals, are protected by legislation in Queensland," he said.
"Flying-foxes play a vital role in our ecosystems as pollinators and long-range dispersers of seeds but their presence in residential areas needs to be managed sensibly to minimise their impact on the community.
"The roost management plans provide a well-measured approach that considers the risk, cost and likelihood of success in dealing with the negative impacts of Flying-foxes."
The plans have been designed to address the specific challenges faced at each roost site through short and long-term actions to support landowners and minimise negative interaction between humans and Flying-foxes while raising awareness of the species' importance and encouraging their conservation.
The large Canungra roost extends across Council-owned and private land and has attracted complaints from local residents concerned by noise, smell, potential health issues and damage to property.
During 2019, 2020 and 2022, both the Canungra and Beaudesert roosts saw an influx of more than 20,000 Flying-foxes, with noise and odour creating conflict between residents and the bats.
A region-wide survey, carried out in 2022 as part of the development of the revised Flying-Fox Management Strategy, aimed to better understand the flying-fox issue and identify potential approaches to assist affected property owners.
Funding of $20,000 under Round 2 (Stream 2) of the Flying-Fox Roost Management Local Government Grants Program during 2022 has enabled Council to develop long-term plans to manage the Canungra and Beaudesert roosts.
Division 3 Councillor Virginia West said she was grateful for the funding and for the input of residents which had informed the development of the roost management plans.
“I encourage everyone who has been impacted by Flying-foxes to provide their feedback during the community consultation next month,” she said.
Division 4 Councillor Michael Enright said the management of Flying-foxes presented a challenge for a number of local governments in balancing community concerns with conservation outcomes.
"Council's roost management plans for Beaudesert and Canungra provide site-specific actions that aim to reduce the overall community impact of Flying-foxes while ensuring their protection,” he said.
In conjunction with the Flying-fox Management Strategy consultation, the roost plans will be open to community feedback from mid-August 2023 via Council's online community engagement platform, letstalkscenicrim.qld.gov.au
The Long-Term Roost Management Plan Development Project was developed with the support of the Queensland Government in association with Scenic Rim Regional Council.