6 November 2023
Southern Downs Regional Council has secured more than $18k funding from the Department of Environment and Science to implement long-term roost management plans for the region’s protected flying-foxes.
The three flying-fox species that frequent the Southern Downs include the little red flying-fox (LRFF; Pteropus scapulatus); black flying-fox (BFF; P. lecto); and grey-headed flying-fox (GHFF; P. poliocephalus).
Council will partner with Southern Downs Industry Education Association to undertake weed control and planting on West Road beside Quart Pot Creek in Stanthorpe from March 2024 to establish an alternative roost site for the flying-fox colonies.
Council’s Director Planning and Environmental Services Scott Riley said Council has an obligation to consider and manage the protection of flying-foxes across the region while mitigating noise, odours and damage to crops.
“Flying-foxes play a vital role in the local ecosystem, and balancing their requirements with the needs and expectations of the community requires a responsible and considered approach,” Mr Riley said.
“We need to sensitively manage the impacts of flying-fox roosts on residents while allowing the animals to continue delivering their critical pollination and seed dispersal roles.
“The habitat on West Road is deemed to be a suitable roost site because it has close access to water, plus there are already significant stands of canopy species that flying-foxes use for roosting and it is removed from the town’s residential areas.
“The funded works will enhance the existing vegetation to ensure the long-term suitability of the roost site and ensure there are sufficient emerging species to take their place once they reach the end of their life.”
The project is part of Council’s Flying-Fox Management Plan which guides Council’s response to managing flying-foxes. The objectives of the plan are:
• to ensure Council’s flying-fox management activities meet legal obligations and are based on scientific knowledge of flying-fox ecology and management.
• to enable Council to address community concerns relating to flying-foxes whilst ensuring Council’s obligations for flying-fox welfare and conservation needs are met.
• to enable Council to make sound management decisions that mitigate current flying-fox impacts on local communities and minimise the risk of future impacts arising.
• to ensure flying fox management activities do not transfer and/or exacerbate flying fox problems.
• to promote community understanding of flying-fox conservation, ecology, and health risks and encourage improved community engagement in flying-fox management.
A copy of the plan is available on Council’s website at
https://www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/animal-management/roadside-grazing-and-travelling-stock/flying-foxes-bats-micro-bats.
Last edited date 06 Nov 2023