July 29, 2021
Gympie Regional Council will receive $47,507 from the State Government to help it manage flying fox issues at Commissioners Gully and an abandoned roost site at Widgee Crossing.
The money will come from Flying Fox Roost Management In Queensland grants, part of a $2 million election commitment to help councils develop long-term management plans for the animals.
All up, 12 councils will share $572,000 in grants from the first round of the program.
“Flying foxes are a critical part of Queensland’s ecosystem, but recently we’ve seen flying foxes increasingly roost in urban areas causing concerns around noise and odour,” Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said.
“We spoke with local councils and Queenslanders last year to create a program that’ll help communities lessen the impacts of flying-foxes while also making sure they can continue to play their important ecological role.”
Minister Scanlon said the funding would see councils carry out immediate high-priority roost management works as well as develop long-term plans and actions.
Grants are based on competitive application and require councils to provide co-funding, including in-kind contributions.
