Flying Fox report outlines bat management strategy
Date published: 12 August 2016
Council staff will continue a strategy of using noise and lights to disperse flying foxes from the Palmetum botanical gardens as part of on-going management options.
The council has also installed nesting boxes for Rufous Owls, a natural predator of flying foxes, at the Palmetum as a further deterrent.
Measures also include authorised use of lights to “nudge” bats away from the playground at Dan Gleeson Gardens, the city’s other roosting hotspot.
Today’s Community Health and Environment Committee meeting endorsed a report recommending management options in a Statement of Intent following a study by Ecosure.
Committee chair Cr Ann-Maree Greaney said the daily dispersals from the Palmetum through the use of noise and lights had so far been effective.
“Councils are extremely limited in what they can do to manage the problem by State Legislation, but we have to explore all reasonable options on behalf of our community,” Cr Greaney said.
“While there is no silver bullet solution, the management measures recommended to council have been identified as the best options available to us.
“It has to be managed very carefully, to avoid dispersing bats to residential areas.
“The work the council has trialled at the Palmetum using lights and noise has been successful in keeping numbers down and will be continued as a key part of the management measures.
“Council will continue to monitor and “nudge” bats at Dan Gleeson Gardens in an effort to keep them away from the playground and public areas to safeguard the community.
“Staff will continue to investigate any other realistic options to tackle the problem, obviously within the State environmental constraints.”
Key recommendations in today’s report include:
* adopting the draft Statement of Intent for management options for Palmetum
* Adopt Roost Management Plan for Palmetum and associated dispersal processes for Palmetum and “Nudging” at Dan Gleeson Gardens
* Progress with the development of a city wide Roost Management Plan, to obtain a long term permit for management measures under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
* Iimit disturbance of flying fox roosts in natural areas around the city
The recommendations will go to the full council on August 23 for final consideration.
