2015-07-21 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    21 JULY 2015


Of concern is the possibility of bats suffering heat stress during heat wave conditions. This
happened at Casino and Palmwoods in recent years where several thousand bats died.
Management of this situation would require a joint response between Council’s Environmental
Health, Natural Areas, Environment Services and Flying Fox Rescue.

5.   Wallace Park Site-based Flying Fox Management Plan

Council has been receiving concerns/complaints regarding the Wallace Park flying fox colony
since January 2014. It is unknown if or when flying foxes will return in great numbers. As a
precaution it is proposed to develop a Site-based Flying Fox Management Plan for Wallace Park.
The management plan:
      Would be developed by an independent consultant with expertise in flying fox
        management;
      Be prepared in accordance with current National, State and Local Government legislation,
        policy and plans on flying fox management;
      Involve consultation with neighbouring residents and key stakeholders;
      Present different management options for flying fox management;
      Provide options, recommended actions and an indication of likely costs for Council
        consideration.
Initial advice received from such consultants indicates that a Site-based Flying Fox Management
Plan would cost approximately $7,000. The final Flying Fox Management Plan, including costs to
implement the Plan, would need to be brought to Council for consideration.

6.   Timing

It is unknown if or when the flying foxes will return in large numbers, however any subsequent
approved works arising from the recommendations would need to be undertaken when there are
no flying foxes within the work site area. At the time of writing this report, the remaining flying
foxes are located to the east of the park (library side) and away from neighbouring residents. In
2014 and 2015 the flying foxes started arriving in January and February. Numbers peaked in
February (Little Red Flying Foxes) and then May/June (Black and Grey-headed Flying Foxes).
Funds would need to be allocated immediately to allow time for the consultant to complete the
Draft Flying Fox Management Plan, undertake consultation with residents and stakeholders,
bring the Flying Fox Management Plan, including recommendations and costs, to Council for
consideration, and deliver on any on ground works, prior to flying foxes returning in large
numbers, potentially in the New Year.

Previous Council Consideration

Ordinary Meeting 26 June 2014, Item 11, Page 5
That Council note the report by the Environment Officer to the Infrastructure & Services
Committee Meeting dated 17 June 2014 and:
A.   Continue to monitor the flying fox population and provide information to residents on
     request as outlined in Option 1; and
B.   Resolve to undertake flying fox non-dispersal mitigation actions as outlined in Option 2A.




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