2015-10-13 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                        13 OCTOBER 2015


4.   Public consultation
Preliminary public consultation has been undertaken with the development of the Wallace
Park Draft Flying Fox Management Plan with Noosa Parks Association, Flying Fox Rescue
and Release, Bat Rescue Inc., Tewantin-Noosa Bowls Club and six (6) park neighbours
It is proposed to undertake broad consultation of the Plan over a three (3) week period
because it provides an opportunity for all neighbouring residents, who may be impacted by
the flying foxes, to have input into the Plan, as well as also providing an opportunity for
neighbouring residents and key stakeholder groups, who are protective of the flying foxes
and Wallace Park Bushland Reserve, to have input into the Plan.
Previous Council Consideration
Council Ordinary Meeting 30 July 2015, Item 8, Page 12
That Council note the report by the Principal Environment Officer to the Planning
&Organisation Committee Meeting dated 21 July 2015 and:
A.   Engage an experienced consultant to develop a site based Flying Fox Management
     Plan for Wallace Park Bushland Reserve and allocate $7,000 for its preparation at the
     next budget review; and
B.   Report the Flying Fox Management recommendations to a future Council meeting.
Finance & Risk
Ecosure has advised that dispersal is high risk, costly and usually results in creating more
problems elsewhere.
The cost for in situ management is estimated to be $24,220 for extending and widening
buffers to 10m between residents and the flying fox colony (tree clearing, tree trimming,
course gravel, plant and equipment costs). The cost of a deterrent trial (sprinkler system
over 30m initially) to provide an additional 15m buffer is $5000 (subject to quote).
Dependent on the outcome of public consultation on the Plan, funding for such works would
need to be considered in a future budget review.
Consultation
External Consultation - Community & Stakeholder
The following community and stakeholder consultation is proposed, inviting comments on
the Draft Plan:
    Letterbox drop to residents immediately neighbouring the flying fox colony
    Your Say Noosa web portal
    Local media
    A copy of the Draft Plan to be placed at the Noosa library
Key stakeholders to be consulted on the Plan include:
   Residents immediately neighbouring the colony
   Noosa Parks Association
   Noosa Integrated Catchment Association
   Wallace Park Bushland Care Group
   Tewantin-Noosa Bowls Club
   Ivory Palms Resort
   Flying Fox Rescue and Release
   Bat Rescue Inc.
   Department of Environment and Heritage Protection
   Noosa Hospital
   Noosa Biosphere Foundation


                                                                            Page 93 of 110