Stop using environment money to chase away bats: green group

CHASING flying foxes out of residential neighbourhoods should not be funded by an Environment Levy, a peak environment argues.

The Sunshine Coast Environment Council wrote to all Sunshine Coast Councillors this week urging them to stop the funding of the dispersal of flying foxes.

Chair Narelle McCarthy said the species, which has created havoc in Coolum and Maroochydore neighbourhoods, were vulnerable, protected and important to the environment.

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And adding insult to injury was their dispersal was being funded by a levy designed to "protect the environment".

Ms McCarthy said she appreciated "some residents do experience varying levels of discomfort" living close to the bats.

But SCEC believed too much cash was being spent on "localized situations" even though council officers undertook their work with "extreme care".

• Stop using environment money to chase away bats: green group