2016-11-08 S&O Agenda - Item 1, Attachment 1 - Annual Report 2015-16

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                                                             8 NOVEMBER 2016


                                                                Percentage of total respondents concerned with each issue
                                                 70.00
  Percentage of residents concerned with issue




                                                 52.50




                                                 35.00




                                                 17.50




                                                  0.00




                                                  Reduced wildlife                            Dead bodies in backyard                   Noise
                                                  Smell                                       Droppings/Mess                            Health concerns
                                                  No issue                                    Property Damage                           Fruit scavenging

                                                         Figure 2 - Percentage of total respondents surveyed that were concerned with each conflict issue


Figure 1 shows smell, droppings and noise were the main issues residents had with flying-foxes
in Wallace Park. The feedback from residents indicates greater emphasis should be placed on
the inclusion of air fresheners, protective coverings and cleaning services. The large proportion
of residents with ‘no issues’ with the Flying-foxes may still benefit from the programme, but also
show there are a significant number of residents with a high tolerance for the conflict. The
reduction in ‘other wildlife’, such as rainbow lorikeets, during times of peak flying-fox numbers
cannot be avoided and is brought about by increased resource competition in the park.
Figure 2 indicates that while over 26% of total respondents had ‘no issues’ with flying-foxes in
their vicinity, by offering services that focus on minimising the odour and the droppings, the key
issues for over 66% of residents could be lessened.
The current survey offered residents covers for cars, clotheslines and pools, protective cover for
fruit trees, rental of high pressure water cleaners and professional cleaning of solar panels. Many
residents also provided suggestions outside the scope of the survey, that have been included for
consideration in the program.
Figure 3 demonstrated the largest interest was in clothesline covers, water pressure cleaners
and car covers. Providing these services addresses the issue of reducing property damage from
flying-fox droppings however, surprisingly few residents were interested in air fresheners despite
the overwhelming opinion of odour being the most distressing issue from the conflict.


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