Council bat-flip sign of change
CAIRNS Regional Council appears to have performed a complete “bat-flip” on its attitude towards flying foxes.
In July the council was fined $15,000 after pleading guilty to three charges in Cairns Magistrates Court for disturbing flying foxes and trimming trees in 2014.
However, the council has now spent $10,000 on a new bat education campaign, starting with a large billboard erected along the Captain Cook Highway outside Cairns Airport.
The “Can’t Touch This” billboard – inspired by the popular ’90s MC Hammer song – warns motorists that it is baby bat season and that the animals should not be handled.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the billboard was the first major step in a community engagement and awareness campaign developed by the council and its flying fox advisory committee to promote flying foxes and local management of the protected species.
“Over the coming months residents and visitors will start to see advertising, information, signage and events around the city in support of this,” he said.
“Pedestrians may have already noted wayfinders throughout the CBD asking locals, tourists and business owners not to handle bats if they find them.
“The wayfinders aim to address an issue we’ve encoun- tered, particularly with tourists, picking bats up and taking them to their hotels for care.”
He said a preliminary budget of $10,000 had been endorsed for the early stages of the campaign with a further budget to be explored in the financial year.
Wildlife carer Connie Kerr, a member of the flying fox advisory committee, said it was a complete change in attitude towards bats for the council.
“It’s a win for flying foxes, it’s a win for the public, it’s a win for the council as far as with them getting the correct advice as far as how to manage it,” she said.