September 15, 2021
South Burnett council workers have removed 38 truckloads of vegetation from around Taromeo Creek in Blackbutt in a bid to discourage Little Red flying foxes from roosting in the area.
Cr Scott Henschen told last week’s Community Standing Committee meeting that Council’s NRM and parks staff had removed understorey vegetation from across eight properties.
“The work was aimed at discouraging large numbers of Little Red flying foxes from joining the roost next season,” Cr Henschen said.
“Vegetation removal was carried out under the supervision of a suitably qualified person to ensure the welfare of the colony of Black-Headed and Grey-Headed flying foxes currently inhabiting the roost.”
Cr Henschen said the Council workers felled, pruned and stacked 256 cubic metres – or 38 truckloads – of vegetation by hand.
He said the final stage of works would include spraying herbicide on regrowth, when conditions were suitable.
The vegetation removal follows complaints from some Blackbutt residents about the flying foxes.
In February, residents organised a petition which was forwarded to Council by Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington.
At the time, Division 2 councillor Gavin Jones said the flying foxes were driving local residents “insane”.
In June, the SBRC organised a community information session in Blackbutt to discuss residents’ concerns.
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