2021-22 Flying Fox Season Update #3, Isaac Region

Isaac Regional Council is aware of, and is monitoring, flying foxes across the Isaac region especially in Moranbah, Clermont and Dysart. 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 flying foxes or disturb a roost, and unplanned and unauthorised actions can impact on you, your neighbours and your community.

Flying fox management needs to be undertaken in accordance with the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment and Science (DES) guidelines and codes of practice.

Visit https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/bats/flying-foxes/roost-management#management_of_flying_fox_roosts for more information.

MORANBAH

Council is monitoring the fragmented flying fox colony in Moranbah where an increased number of flying foxes have been reported. The highest density of Little Red Flying Foxes remain at Bradman, Mackay and McCool streets with numbers increasing at Gilchrist, Grout, Ney and Rosewall Streets. Officers continue to engage with impacted residents and landowners and encourage residents to not undertake dispersal attempts to avoid further fragmenting the colony in to additional properties.

CLERMONT

A Little Red Flying Fox colony has established in Clermont as part of their yearly migration. The roost is on the north western corner (Ivan Bettridge Park) and south bank (Centenary Park) of Hoods Lagoon, away from residential backyards. Council is regularly monitoring the roost and has taken steps to minimise disturbance to delay the colony moving to the historical roost at Centenary Park or potentially into resident’s yards. Park users will continue to enjoy safe and unimpeded access to the majority of the park area and facilities except for the spaces excluded by the temporary fencing.

DYSART

Flying fox numbers in Dysart have been fluctuating and the highest density remains in Garnham Drive and Fraser Court. The colonies’ presence is outside of the species usual migration through the Isaac region. In recent years flying foxes have not camped in Dysart, however the dense canopies of trees in urban areas are an attractive breeding site for the species. Recent monitoring trends have reinforced that flying foxes are wild animals and are unpredictable, establishing new colonies in previously unaffected neighbourhoods and towns and staying for periods greater than their usual migration. Council is monitoring the flying fox numbers on a regular basis and is in ongoing discussions with impacted residents.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Council officers have provided advice on flying fox colonies and the benefits of conducting preventative measures with impacted residents. Trees with large dense canopies are attractive to flying foxes. Trimming or removing trees such as mangos, figs and Poinciana trees will help to avoid flying foxes being attracted to your property. However, flying foxes may establish a roost in any tree particularly those with a large dense canopy.  

STATEMENT OF MANAGEMENT INTENT

Council has 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 $750,000 in costs associated with management of flying fox roosts. Dispersal activities have no guarantee of success, and potentially spread flying foxes over a larger area or shift roosts from public lands into private backyards. Vegetation management activities of roost trees are capped at 10 per cent of the tree canopy, per annum, in accordance with the DES Code of Practice for low impact activities affecting flying-fox roosts.

MIGRATION ACTIVITIES

Flying foxes migrate into the Isaac region townships each year which is a part of its greater yearly migration across eastern Australia. It’s important to note that Australian flying foxes DO NOT carry COVID-19 following several enquiries made to Council this season.

For more information visit https://www.isaac.qld.gov.au/flying-foxes or call Council’s Customer Service Centre available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227), or the Department of Environment and Science on 13 QGOV (13 74 62).

Jeff Stewart-Harris Chief Executive Officer