A Mount Isa community consultation session has heard that some residents cannot use their backyards for up to four months of the year due to the infestation of flying foxes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Thousands of little red flying foxes come to Mount Isa in the warmer months causing havoc in the community but as a protected species there is only limited action council can take and there is a history of failed attempts at getting them to move.
Now Mount Isa City Council has employed consultants from Diversity Australia to come up with a longterm plan to move them away from populated areas and they held a community consultation session on Thursday night to outline their plans.
Mayor Danielle Slade said it was a difficult issue to solve and to ensure a successful project they needed the input of the community.
The longer-term solution requires Council to set up a bat-friendly area at the old Green Corps site north of the Sewerage Treatment Plant but that could take 10 to 15 years to come to fruition.
In the meantime frustrated residents at the community consultation session told Council how the issue was playing havoc with their lives in summertime when the bats are in town.
Until last year the flying foxes roosted at the cemetery but after Council lopped trees at the site they are now roosting in the Sunset area, a move deputy mayor Phil Barwick told the meeting "blindsided the council".
Sunset residents Brian and Mel Atherinos told Council they cannot go into their backyard for several months due to the problem and even cutting back some of their trees has not solved the issue.
Fellow Sunset residents Bill and Rhonda Pengo said they appreciated Council's efforts but it was time that authorities put "people first and bats second".
Mr Pengo said the bats had been destroying the fruit of his mango tree and leaving the mostly uneaten mangoes in his yard, which he had to clean up at personal expense.
There were also concerns raised about bat faeces in swimming pools and the impact to children's health,
Andrew Williams of Biodiversity Australia gave a presentation about the nomadic little red flying fox which can roost in colonies of up to 20,000 and who visit Mount Isa around October and leave around March after food sources are depleted,
Mr Williams said the bats lived at the cemetery and nearby suburb causing emotional distress to affected residents and a serious public health nuisance due to noise, smell and droppings, as well as concerns of viruses and bacteria.
He advised that affected residents should bring in washing and cover pools and cars before dusk, move quietly near roost sites, keep dogs and cats away and remove or cover fruit and flowers using fine net meshing.
Flying foxes are protected under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 and it is an offence to kill them or interfere with their roosts with penalties of up to one year imprisonment.
Mr Williams said Council's current strategy was to encourage residents to report the problem so Council can assist with trimming and other measures, though these have limited success.
Midterm Council is looking at creating buffers through vegetation removal in problem trees and longer term Council has received a $100,000 grant to look at an alternative roost site
Mr Williams said that after research they believe the ideal longer-term site is at the Council-owned old Green Corps area adjacent to the treatment plan, because of its proximity to water and the current roosting site and its distance to populated areas.
He said it would take over 10 years to create an alternative roost by creating effluent lines and planting suitable trees.
"Once the site is established, either active relocation may occur or scout bats will locate the site and choose to roost in the areas," he said.
Council said they would call for letters from affected residents which they would forward to the Department of Environment.
Cr Kim Coghlan told the meeting she believed there should be some option to cull the flying foxes when their numbers were so great.
Council CEO David Keenan suggested they also write a letter to new environment minister Meaghan Scanlon to invite her Mount Isa to see the seriousness of the problem.
Council tips for living with flying foxes
Bring washing in before dusk
Cover or park your car under shelter before dusk
Move quietly near roost sites
Keep doors and windows closed at dawn and dusk
Remove or cover fruits and flowers on trees
Keep dogs and cats indoors at night
Check people and pets for ticks and fleas frequently as flying foxes can cause infestation.
While you are here, subscribe to our weekly email delivered to your inbox every Tuesday and Friday.