Levy to fund Flying-fox actions
Environment Levy funds will be utilised to carry out the works and to develop a proactive program focused on identifying and improving alternative Flying-fox habitat away from urban areas.
Sunshine Coast Council has recognised the immediate concerns of residents and resolved to take action to disperse two Flying-fox colonies at Coolum and Maroochydore.
Environment Levy funds will be utilised to carry out the works and to develop a proactive program focused on identifying and improving alternative Flying-fox habitat away from urban areas.
Division 8 Councillor Jason O’Pray said the decision to take dispersal actions would provide significant peace of mind to residents living nearby the Flying-fox roosts.
“Many residents in Tepequar Drive, Maroochydore have been adversely affected by the Flying-fox roost that has existed nearby their homes,” he said.
“The noise, the smell and the mess that Flying-foxes create has impacted enormously on people living nearby and this decision by council today enables us to help them regain normality in their lives.
“In saying this, I fully respect the very important role that Flying-foxes play in our environment and any actions that council takes will be non-lethal and carefully planned in order to place minimal stress on the animals.”
Division 9 Councillor Stephen Robinson said residents living in close proximity to the Flying-fox roost at Cassia Wildlife Corridor in Coolum would also welcome dispersal actions.
“Even though a relatively small number of residents are adversely affected by the roost at Cassia Wildlife Reserve, council has listened to their concerns and is now able to help,” he said.
“While the Sunshine Coast has a large number of sites away from urban areas that are identified as suitable Flying-fox roost sites and it is possible that they may disperse to these areas, there is no guarantee”.
Pending state and federal government approvals, council will proceed with non-lethal dispersal actions at Cassia Wildlife Corridor at an estimated cost of $90,120. Similar actions will also be carried out at Tepequar Drive at an estimated cost of $152,950 (also pending state and federal government approvals as well as approval from the Corporation of the Trustees of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane for actions on Stella Maris School property). The Environment Levy Reserve will fund the actions at both sites.
Council’s Environment Levy Policy was amended to include future actions that are carried out through the Regional Flying-fox Management Plan. A Flying-fox Project for habitat enhancement, research, community education and partnerships will also be considered for inclusion in council’s 2013/2014 Environment Levy Program.
A further report will be presented to council by November 2013 detailing the outcome of the Flying-fox dispersal actions at Tepequar Drive, Maroochydore and Cassia Wildlife Corridor, Coolum.