2015-10-13 Planning & Organisation Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 6 Draft Flying Fox Management Plan

 draft
    ·   impact on habitat value
    ·   effects on the flying-fox population, including disease status and associated public
        health risk
    ·   impacts to nearby residents associated with ongoing dispersal attempts
    ·   excessive initial and/or ongoing resource and financial investment
    ·   negative public perception and backlash
    ·   unsuccessful management requiring multiple attempts, which may exacerbate all of
        the above.

In addition to risks detailed above, dispersal activities at this location are likely to:

    •   disrupt residents (including potential health impacts associated with smoke, which is
        a key dispersal tool)
    •   stress noise-phobic pets
    •   increase flying-fox vocalising during the day
    •   result in trampling damage to the understorey.

The potential cost of dispersal from Wallace Park is compounded by difficulties accessing the
site given that it is often waterlogged. Further there a number of ecological and legislative
constraints associated with this site as detailed within.

In summary, dispersals are costly, require ongoing commitment and maintenance, are often
not entirely successful, and rarely result in desirable outcomes for all stakeholders.

Ecosure preliminarily assessed the risk associated with the roost in its current location, and
the site-specific risks associated with dispersing the roost. It was found that all risks (and
amenity impacts) associated with the roost can be managed to an acceptably low level through
in-situ management. However, despite careful planning and controls, many risks associated
with dispersal remain at high and extreme.

Given the above we recommend against dispersal, and suggest management options in the
table below to reduce community impacts.




Wallace Park flying-fox roost – management options                                 ecosure.com.au | ii