IN a second attempt at dispersing flying foxes, Sunshine Coast Council will use smoke and lights on a colony at Elizabeth St drain bushland from 4am on Wednesday.
The non-lethal methods of noise, smoke and lighting will take place before sunrise each morning for up to one week to make returning to the roost after an evening's foraging unappealing to the flying foxes.
The activities may extend to the other known roost within Coolum, the Cassia Wildlife Corridor, as the council tries to provide on-going relief to residents in areas impacted by the smell and noise.
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Councillor Steve Robinson said even though the council had identified a lot of suitable habitat across the region for these mammals, it was unable to control where they ended up.
"A second dispersal attempt is our only option to provide some short-term relief to residents. However, just like last time, there is no guarantee that it will be successful," Cr Robinson said.
"The flying foxes returned to the roost this morning (Monday) about four weeks after the end of the initial attempt in May.
"We expect that the flying foxes did move to other roost sites around the region, but unfortunately they have come back, possibly due to a plentiful food supply.
Cr Robinson said the actions were controlled by strict conditions. The council had until mid to late July to disperse the protected species before females became heavily pregnant and were unable to be moved, he said.
Any flying fox intervention has unknown consequences. The council will be monitoring at known roost and habitat sites within the region to assess the outcome of these management actions.
If Coolum Beach residents observe flying foxes in their backyards during the dispersal (daytime only), they are advised to contact the council on 0409 736 512 or email the council on wildlife@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
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