Bat colony angers hero
A DECORATED North Queensland war hero is shocked at the damage thousands of flying foxes have done to a public park in Ingham named in his honour.
Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne, who now lives in Mackay, visited his home town with members of family last week. The Vietnam War veteran went to the Keith Payne Memorial Park with his wife, niece and great- nephew where they saw first- hand the flying fox colony that occupies the Ingham Botanical Gardens.
“I don’t like it — it stinks. I can’t believe nothing has been done about this,” he said.
Mr Payne recalled playing marbles in the gardens as a child with friends and said he had seen many wedding parties being photographed there.
“The younger generation has forgotten that parks were created for people, not animals,” he said.
“It’s a flying fox camp that shouldn’t be here.”
Mr Payne said he was shocked to see a colony so close to primary schools, businesses and a bus stop, and destroying trees planted on Arbor Day in the 1940s by himself and school students.
Mr Payne said the State Government should visit the park to hold a meeting.
Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism president Rachael Coco said State Government laws were failing to empower Hinchinbrook Shire Council with effective dispersal methods. “We don’t want to hurt the flying foxes, but we certainly don’t want them roosting in residential areas,” she said.
“We need to establish sanctuaries for flying fox colonies in suitable locations outside of the township,” she said.
“They’re a vital part of the ecosystem, they just don’t belong in our parks, near our schools or desecrating our war memorials.”
Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto said the town was being “held to ransom”.
“Every night we see the sky turn black with a sea of filth that rains faeces and urine, covering our homes, schools and recreational areas,” he said.
“We need immediate action to clean out our parks and reclaim our towns and city gardens, and we as residents demand the right to live in a clean, safe environment.”