20 July, 2023
Somerset misses out on funding for flying fox management
SOMERSET region has missed out on state government funding for a flying fox management program.
Ten flying-fox management projects in nine local government areas across Queensland will share in more than $200,000 in funding to support the protection of flying-fox roosts while mitigating noise, odours and damage to crops.
Local councils will use the grants to tailor their flying-fox programs to suit their communities and support projects including the development of long-term roost management plans, vegetation management and training for council staff.
This latest round of funding has been made available as part of the State Government’s four-year, $2 million commitment to support local governments’ management of flying-foxes.
The Department of Environment and Science is working closely with the Local Government Association of Queensland in administering the grants program, to ensure that grant funds are targeted to the areas of greatest need and will provide the maximum long-term benefits for flying-fox roost management in council LGAs.
The State Government’s 2023-24 State Budget extends the local Government grants program for Flying-Fox Roost Management with an additional $500,000 per year for the next three years.
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard, said flying-foxes play a vital ecological role. However, from time-to-time, negative flying-fox and human interactions can occur around urban roost sites, particularly when flying-fox numbers increase rapidly in a particular location.
“The State Government recognises the need for flying-foxes to be managed in a way that addresses both community expectations regarding the need for local amenity and the long-term conservation of these species in the wild,” she said.
“These 10 new projects will assist councils in managing and enhancing flying-fox habitat, developing long-term roost management plans for their local government areas and providing localised grant schemes for residents and businesses impacted by individual flying-fox roosts.”
