The state government has committed $100,000 to address problem flying foxes in Mount Isa.
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The bats are here in large numbers this year and Mount Isa City Council have had to close the front entrance to Sunset Memorial Cemetery to avoid disturbing the roosts.
Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch visited the cemetery during the cabinet visit last week to see the issue first hand.
"We understand the frustration that living nearby flying-fox roost can cause residents," Ms Enoch said.
"We're now stepping in to support the Mount Isa City community with this funding to further assist with the council's management of flying-foxes."
Ms Enoch said Councils are able to manage roosts using air guns, smoke, noise and tree-lopping, or removing trees where applicable, without needing a permit from State Government, but this funding will be used for further management efforts.
"It will allow Mount Isa City Council to develop an artificial roost site on a spare block of land which will become an alternative roost that the flying foxes can relocate to rather than at the cemetery" Ms Enoch said.
Mount Isa City Council were not non-committal on what they would do with the funds.
As there are many factors to take into consideration, Council will be seeking expert advice and investigating options with regard to an appropriate alternative roosting site for the flying foxes, as well as how to allocate this funding most effectively towards the total costs of the project," council said in a statement.
Robbie Katter says the state government is not doing enough to help councils but Ms Enoch said that flying foxes are protected animals under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
"The Palaszczuk Government supports a balanced approach to managing our native wildlife that protects vulnerable species while managing the safety and expectations of a growing community," Ms Enoch said.
The Queensland Government has invested more than $1 million to a research program into little red flying fox movements and behaviour, and to help improve the management of roosts in urban areas.
"We are also working with the CSIRO, local governments and the Queensland Herbarium to explore options for the improved management of urban flying-fox roosts," Ms Enoch said.
The Queensland Government has also been working closely with local governments, flying fox experts and conservation groups, to refine and improve the codes that govern the management of urban roost sites.
Ms Enoch announced that as part of finalising this consultation process, the Government is releasing two draft flying fox codes and a revised guideline and will be seeking input from interested councils and relevant stakeholders.
The codes are for the ecologically sustainable management flying fox roosts and for low impact activities in and around roost sites.
"The release of these updated draft codes is a key step in our work to upgrade the Queensland roost management framework," Ms Enoch said.
"This targeted consultation is important, and we will analyse all feedback received to ensure the final roost management framework we adopt provides councils access to a suite of sustainable roost management options, meets community expectations and prevents harm to the animals themselves"
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