Bat removal on hold
CONSERVATIONISTS have declared a partial win over Cairns Regional Council’s plans to disperse the city centre’s large flying fox colony.
The council’s proposal to disperse the bat colony surrounding the City Library and luring them to a sanctuary at Edmonton has been deemed a controlled action by the Federal Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
This means the council will be required to provide more information to the government about potential environmental impacts of the proposal before it can be approved.
It is breeding season for spectacled flying foxes and, under environmental law, the bats cannot be disturbed during this period, which could last until the end of the year.
A council spokesman confirmed any dispersal activity would have to be delayed.
“Council acknowledges that flying foxes are an important part of the natural environment and is concerned that leaving them at the roost in the CBD will result in further negative impacts upon them,” he said.
“Heat stress events, urban development and increased construction in close proximity to the library roost will continue to … adversely affect the flying fox population.
“Any potential deterrent works will fall outside the flying fox birthing season.”
He said the council would continue to work with the Federal Department of Environment and Energy to find a safer and more suitable location for the flying foxes.
Aisha de Barros Lopes from the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre described the delay as a partial win for the bats.
“The Federal Government has recognised there will be impacts to the colony, as the proposal is currently, therefore the council has to answer questions written to them by the department,” she said.
“We will be working with the community, the council and … wildlife carers to make sure the dispersal doesn’t happen next year.”
The heatwave that affected Far North Queensland last November resulted in the deaths of an estimated 23,000 spectacled flying foxes.
Ms de Barros Lopes said it was important populations of the species were allowed to recover.