Flying Fox Management in Collinsville

Community Update 15 August 2023

Council is planning to undertake a coordinated Flying fox deterrent activity using a range of irrigation equipment between 6am and 8am from Tuesday the 15^th of August to Thursday the 17^th of August. Deterrent efforts will be focused on colonies within Carpet Street and Stanley Street. Other advice:

• Operation of mobile smokers at private properties in coordination with residents between 6am and 8am may occur.
• Trial the use of tree irrigation systems.
• Noise and lights may be used.
• No planned actions for Pelican Park.

The purpose of the coordinated action is to attempt to move the Flying fox out of residential areas. Council would also like to advise residents that if the Flying fox land in your trees you are able to use noise, light and smoke to deter the animals from landing and occupying your trees.

Community Update 9 May 2023

Council is working with residents to undertake further rounds of flying fox dispersion in Collinsville, utilising 6 smoking bins, 3 wavy men and tree irrigation. Subject to weather conditions, our efforts will be early morning from 5am, Monday 15 May to Thursday 18 May, focused predominately on colonies within Carpet Street and Johns Street.

We thank residents for their patience as Council workers persist with ongoing management actions in accordance with State Legislation.

Community Update 30 March 2023

Council are working with residents in Collinsville to manage Flying fox numbers that presently number 2,700. Flying fox management includes a coordinated smoking activity from 5:00am Monday, 3 April 2023 to Thursday, 6 April 2023, to attempt to move the Flying Fox out of residential areas. The smoking process is as follows:

• Operate mobile smokers at private properties in coordination with residents between 5:00am – 10:00am each day.
• Operate mobile smokers in Pelican Park from 5:00am – 10:00am each day.
• Noise and lights may be used.

Community Update - 11/10/2022

Flying Fox numbers are still high in Pelican Park and surrounds. Council is interested in trialling the use of Inflatable “Wavy Man” to try and deter flying fox from residential backyards. In recent months the Wavy Man has been used at the Rockhampton botanic gardens and Cairns to deter flying fox settling in trees. If the inflatable wavy man works, then this may reduce the need to trim trees.

We are rolling out 5x "Wavy Men" to private residents as part of a trial to determine the most effective way to utilise them, see our Fact sheet for more information. If you are interested in booking a Wavy Man, please contact Danielle Layton on 1300 972 753 who will arrange for a Council officer to install.

Alongside Wavy Men, we will be working with residents in Carpet Street and Johns Street to trial the use of smoke to deter flying fox between 4am - 7am, Monday 17 October. This will involve the burning of mulch within 44 gallon metal drums in four residential properties.

Community Update - 21/09/2022

The flying fox population in Pelican Park, Collinsville has increased from 1,600 at the end of July to 23,600, mid September. The roost is impacting surrounding private property and Council efforts to date involving noise and tree trimming have had limited effect. The population is composed of predominately Little Red Flying fox, whom are migratory and are expected to leave the area by October / November.

We are preparing further management efforts to try and mitigate impacts on surrounding residents, ensuring compliance with State Legislation . Please view our Community Update Fact Sheet for more information.

We will continue to update the community about the management of the roost.

Consultation Summary

We asked for feedback on management options for the flying fox colony (roost) located in Collinsville on Strathmore Street and in Pelican Park. Submissions generally support Council efforts to manage the Colony. Submissions have been considered in the Collinsville Flying Fox Management Plan. Council sought peer review of the draft Plan to ensure compliance with State Legislation and further input from Whitsunday Fauna Rescue. Council will be briefed on the Draft Plan at an upcoming meeting

Management actions involving noise will commence from Monday 15 August for approximately 2 weeks. Council have directly mailed residents surrounding the Colony to notify of upcoming actions involving noise to try and disperse the Colony.

Please see the Consultation Summary, which outlines some of the key results and top suggestions from the community.