Posted on 29 Oct 2014
Burdekin Shire Council dispersing flying foxes from trees in Home Hill’s Lloyd Mann Park.
Council’s Governance and Local Laws Manager Dan Mulcahy said the dispersal activities would take place from 4.30am next Tuesday, November 4, through to Thursday, November 6.
“We have noticed a number of flying foxes roosting in the trees there again and want to move quickly to disperse them,” he said.
“Council will have three employees using starter’s pistols from 4.30am to discourage the flying foxes from roosting in the park.
“We need to start this early to prevent the flying foxes from settling into the trees and they usually start returning to roost around dawn.”
Mr Mulcahy said residents with pets in the vicinity of the dispersal activities would need to ensure their pets were adequately secured to reduce the risk of escape.
“Council will continue to monitor Lloyd Mann Park during this phase to ensure the colony has relocated to a more suitable area,” he said.
“Further dispersal activities within Home Hill may occur if the need arises.”
Mr Mulcahy urged residents to contact council if they know of a flying fox roost within a town area.
COUNCIL TO DISPERSE FLYING FOXES FROM LLOYD MANN PARKPOSTED ON 27 MAY 2014
Burdekin Shire Council next week will begin dispersing flying foxes from the trees in Home Hill’s Lloyd Mann Park.
Council’s Environment and Health Manager Beth Whitworth said the dispersal activities would take place from about 5.30am next Monday, June 2, through to Wednesday, June 4.
“There are a number of flying foxes again roosting in Lloyd Mann Park and Council wants to move quickly to disperse them,” she said.
“We will be using intense noise including a number of starter’s pistols from 5am to discourage the flying foxes from roosting in the park.”
Mrs Whitworth said residents with pets in the vicinity of the dispersal activities would need to ensure their pets were adequately secured to reduce the risk of escape.
“Council will continue to monitor Lloyd Mann Park during this phase to ensure the colony has relocated to a more suitable area,” she said.
“Further dispersal activities within Home Hill may occur if the need arises.”
Mrs Whitworth urged residents to call Council if they become aware of a flying fox roost within a town area.
“I also would like to remind residents to stay away from any colony they find for their own safety,” she said.
“If anyone is bitten or scratched by a flying fox, they should wash the wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical advice without delay.”
COUNCIL TO APPLY FOR PERMIT TO REMOVE FLYING FOXESPOSTED ON 26 MAR 2013
The Burdekin Shire Council will apply for a damage mitigation permit (DMP) to remove the flying fox colony living in Home Hill’s Lloyd Mann Park.
Mayor Bill Lowis said he, Council’s Chief Executive Officer Ken Holt and a number of other Council officers met with Department of Environment and Heritage Protection representatives last Thursday to discuss the permit.
“Department staff gave us advice on the measures we could use to disperse the flying foxes and also identified the species,” he said. “The species was identified as black flying foxes and this allows Council to apply for a DMP to move them on. The colony has reduced to about a third of what is was, but there were still 700-750 flying foxes estimated to be in the park.”
Cr Lowis said Council would draft the DMP application this week for submission to the Department for approval.
“Approval of the permit will depend on the Department assessing the application, but it is hoped it would be approved soon after Easter to allow Council to start dispersing the colony,” he said.
“Once approved, Council will start with low-impact dispersal methods and it would depend on the movement of the flying foxes as to whether we increase to higher impact methods.
“Low-impact methods include trimming vegetation and leaving it on the ground in the park and shining intense lights into the tree canopy. Higher impact methods may include shooting blank shots around the roosting location.”
Cr Lowis said Council would also clear weeds and undergrowth from the roost in Plantation Park to encourage the Home Hill colony to move.
For further information please visit Council’s website www.burdekin.qld.gov.au or contact Council’s Customer Service Centre on (07) 4783 9800.
http://www.burdekin.qld.gov.au/2013/media-releases/council-to-apply-for-permit-to-remove-flying-foxes/
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