The Palaszczuk Government is offering local councils a share of over $200,000 to help manage flying fox roosts in Queensland communities.
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon encouraged councils to apply for the latest round of the government's $2 million Flying Fox Roost Management program, part of an overall record $1.4 billion budget to protect the environment and support local jobs.
Smaller local councils with under 50,000 people are encouraged to apply for funding from this round, with a reduction in council co-contributions for these projects.
"When we spoke to local councils and Queenslanders, they told us they wanted help to lessen the impacts of flying-foxes on their communities while also making sure these critters can continue to play their important ecological role – and we've delivered," Minister Scanlon said.
It comes after six councils earlier this year received funding for their projects, including for Isaac Regional Council $28,000 to identify preferable habitat to reduce the likelihood of roosts and camps moving into urban backyards
"Plenty of communities have different or unique situations that they're dealing with, and this funding can be used for both immediate and longer term programs.
"Some councils have used funding to develop permanent flying-fox roosts in more suitable locations, while others have utilised funding to create buffer zones and remove weeds that attract flying foxes.
"Flying foxes do play a vital role in pollinating and spreading the seeds of our native plants, but when they congregate in large numbers at roosts, they can cause an issue with nearby communities due to the noise, smell and mess they generate.
"This program is a great example of how the Palaszczuk Government is working with councils to manage environmental issues, but also support ongoing jobs through the COVID-19 pandemic and now the impacts that'll come post-floods for some communities.
"And it's a key part of our record $1.4 billion budget for the environment.
"It builds on expanded measures we introduced in 2020 that can be used by councils to disperse roosts after listening to councils across the state."
