RESIDENTS of Athol Tce in Boonah fear the value of their homes have dropped thanks to a large colony of flying foxes in trees on council land across the road.
They've been living with the stench and screeching of more than 2000 bats since they descended on Bicentennial Park nearly three years ago.
Trevor Nykvist, who has lived in the same home for more than six decades, said the issue seems to have been forgotten by the Scenic Rim Regional Council.
Nearby residents were told they must boil their drinking water because of bat droppings, but Mr Nykvist won't drink from his tank.
He said his neighbours were concerned about the risk of contracting Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) infection with their being so close to their homes.
"We all have tanks here and are worried about contamination when it rains," he said.
"I'm an animal lover, don't get me wrong, but I don't think this many bats should be allowed in a residential area. I know they've got to have somewhere to live, but not in town or around schools.
"I'm an animal lover, don't get me wrong, but I don't think this many bats should be allowed in a residential area. I know they've got to have somewhere to live, but not in town or around schools."
The same camp of bats came under scrutiny in July 2011 following a Hendra outbreak at Mount Alford, which claimed a family dog and horse.
The Department of Environment and Resources Management has identified the Bicentennial Park colony as a flying fox roost site.
It is believed they travel between another roost site at Mount French, near Moogerah Dam.
Another resident, who wished not to be named, said the bats encroached on resident's lifestyles but he felt their concerns were being ignored.
"The bats should be moved on," he said.
Mayor John Brent called for the bats to be culled in 2011, but has since announced council were looking at other options.
"Council continues to consider its options with regard to the management of flying fox populations across the Scenic Rim, including Boonah," he said.
- Bat Facts
- Bats are the only flying mammal;
- There are 33 species of bats in south east Queensland;
- A flying fox may travel 70 kilometres in a night foraging for food;
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