FLYING-FOX RELOCATION YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED Don’t be alarmed! The While it is difficult Relocation activities bats are simply moving to predict flying-fox will happen at sunrise to their new home at the behaviour, we are Council is relocating each morning. Cairns Central Swamp. hopeful this activity the spectacled During the relocation, A team of technicians will move the flying- flying-foxes from you may see flying- will be out and about foxes to their new the Cairns City foxes overhead where helping move the bats home as quickly as Library. you live and work. to their new home. possible. IF YOU FIND BATS IN YOUR BACKYARD - DO NOT TOUCH THEM! Do not harass bats with noise or threatening behaviour If you see a fallen as they fly-over as this may bring harm to you or the or injured bat call bats and is illegal. If you feel bats are causing problems Wildlife Carers FNQ in your area call Council on 1300 692 247 on 4281 6869 Disclaimer: The information in this publication is for information purposes only. Please note that while every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this publication is correct and up to date, Council does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability of any such information and makes no warranty or representation about the content of this publication. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Cairns Regional Council shall not be liable for technical or other errors or omissions contained herein. The reader/user accepts all risks and responsibility and other consequences resulting directly or indirectly from using this information. CONTENTS SPECTACLED FLYING-FOX RELOCATION .................4 THE CAIRNS CITY LIBRARY COLONY ....................... 5 TIMING....................................................................... 5 CAIRNS CENTRAL SWAMP ........................................ 7 HOW THE RECLOCATION WILL WORK ......................8 FLYING-FOXES & YOUR HEALTH ................................9 WHAT ARE FLYING-FOXES ....................................... 10 FLYING-FOXES IN CAIRNS ......................................11 REMEMBER: DO NOT TOUCH BATS. If you see a fallen or injured bat call Wildlife Carers FNQ on 4281 6869. SPECTACLED FLYING-FOX RELOCATION FROM THE CAIRNS CITY LIBRARY Cairns Regional Council has approval from the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) for its relocation and dispersal program through a detailed Spectacled Flying-fox Management Plan. pectacled flying-foxes are an WHY ARE THE BATS BEING important part of the natural Q MOVED FROM THE CBD? Senvironment. Council’s concern is Council acknowledges that spectacled flying- for the welfare of the spectacled flying- foxes are an important part of the natural foxes and the urban environment is not environment and is concerned that leaving healthy for them. them at the roost in the CBD will result in Heat stress events, urban development further negative impacts upon them. Heat and increased construction in close stress events, urban development and proximity to the Cairns City Library roost increased construction in close proximity will continue to stress and adversely affect to the Cairns City Library colony will only the spectacled flying-fox population. continue to stress and adversely affect the The Spectacled Flying-fox Management flying-fox population. Plan details steps to relocate the Council’s decision to relocate the spectacled flying-foxes currently at the spectacled flying-foxes has been made in Cairns City Library to the Cairns Central consultation with and following lengthy Swamp. WHAT IS A FLYING-FOX discussion with members of the Flying- The relocation plan involves the use of a Q MANAGEMENT PLAN? fox Advisory Committee (FFAC). Cairns variety of noise and light deterrents under The process for relocating the Cairns City Regional Council believes that the proposed the direction of a professional contractor Library spectacled flying-fox colony is set relocation would; and in line with the recommendations of out in the Cairns Flying-fox Relocation • mitigate human/flying-fox conflict, environmental officers to move the animal Implementation Plan (FFIP) approved by • enable the trees at the Library to recover, to the Cairns Central Swamp. the Federal Department of Agriculture, and Deterrence measures will be used to Water and the Environment (DAWE). The • will likely reduce the high rates of pup discourage the spectacled flying-foxes plan was developed by NRA Environmental mortality that have been recorded at the from returning to the Cairns City Library or Consultants that has provided sustainable library colony. settling in other areas within the CBD. natural management services to the In addition, the Cairns community has a Council has been successfully private, public and community sectors number of concerns about the library colony, using similar deterrents to discourage at strategic and operational levels since including the following: spectacled flying-foxes from roosting along 1984, in consultation with Council and the • the noise, and sight and smell of excreta the Esplanade for several years with no Federal Department of Agriculture, Water detracts from local aesthetics, injury or stress caused to the animals in and the Environment (DAWE). • faecal/urine drop sullies and/or causes that time. Inputs to the plan included: damage to facilities and property, such Ultimately, Council is hoping to deter • consideration of staged relocation as motor vehicles, and is a slip hazard for spectacled flying-foxes from roosting in the events, pedestrians, CBD and moving them to a more suitable • intermediate relocation sites, • the danger of persons coming into contact and natural rainforest environment. • stakeholder feedback, with bats either inadvertently or deliberately • risk assessments and responses, and receiving scratches or bites, • mobilisation and how the relocation • there is concern that dead flying-foxes and would be carried out, and excreta under the roost poses a health risk, • ongoing monitoring and appropriate • maintenance works to mitigate flying-fox responses if corrective action required. impacts incur a cost to ratepayers, and To view the plan visit: • high densities of flying-foxes decrease tree cairns.qld.gov.au/flyingfoxrelocation health. 4 Flying-fox Relocation Information CAIRNS REGIONAL COUNCIL SPECTACLED THE CAIRNS CITY LIBRARY COLONY FLYING-FOX Cairns is home to a large number of spectacled flying-foxes. Most of these are spectacled flying-foxes but at certain times of the year, small numbers of Little Red Flying-foxes can RELOCATION also be found. There are 44 known roost sites (or camps) across the Cairns local government area, of FROM THE CAIRNS CITY LIBRARY which six are listed as Nationally Important Camps. Spectacled flying-fox colonies are mainly seasonal with numbers and composition of the camps changing constantly. The Cairns City Library colony is the only roost that is occupied throughout the year. The trees at the Cairns City Library are protected by a heritage listing under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992. The Department of Environment and Science (DES) must approve the removal of heritage-listed trees. Council understands that trees are highly valued in the community and has a strict policy about removal. Council regularly assesses the health of the tree and takes steps such as bracing weakened limbs and the root system, light trimming and removing of dead wood, to reduce disease and extend the life of the tree. All works are done by qualified professionals under the guidance of a qualified and independent ecologist. HOW DOES A RELOCATION The deterrence is carried out using QWORK? passive equipment such as high intensity TIMING The aim of ‘relocation’ is to encourage the lighting and audio equipment that are set • Relocation efforts will happen spectacled flying-fox colony to move to a up in strategic locations to provide a passive on the morning fly-in period more suitable roost site in the Cairns Central deterrent to the City Library roost trees. between 5am and 7am. swamp. The relocation activity will be undertaken • Commencing 4 July 2020. by appropriately qualified and experienced The Cairns Flying-fox Relocation • Relocation operations are to be Management Plan will use noise and lights individuals and non-lethal methods will be limited by permit to a maximum to relocate the spectacled flying-foxes used. of two periods, each of up to currently roosting in the Cairns CBD to a The program is tailored to minimise any 2.5 hours duration, in any 24 hour more suitable, natural environment. stress on the animals and causes no injury period, and be conducted before The plan details the actions to relocate at of any type. Deterrence will stop at any sunrise and after sunset. the Cairns City Library colony, amid concerns time if dependent young are likely to be • A management window has for the welfare of the animals. impacted. been identified to move the bats The relocation of the spectacled flying- Once the flying-foxes have left the roost, from the CBD back to a historic fox colony in the vicinity of the Cairns City technicians will continue to monitor the roost site in the Cairns Central Library is planned to commence on 4 July population at the new roost trees as well as Swamp site. 2020. roaming throughout the town to identify any • The proposed action will Relocation efforts will happen on the potential splinter camps. only occur between May and morning fly-in period between 5am and Once the colony has been relocated to September (ie outside of the 7am. the desired location continual negative spectacled flying-fox pup rearing As flying-foxes begin to fly in from association works will continue at the season. This will specifically their nights foraging, they will be actively City Library roost trees, these works are aim to avoid a disruption to the deterred from the roost site in an effort to characterised by very low intensity noise species’ breeding cycle). prevent landing where practicable. and lighting and other passive deterrent works at the original roost site.