Flying Fox Invasion

The day after Cyclone Anthony swept through the Mackay area on January 31^st 2010 we noticed for the first time a small group of Flying Foxes roosting in trees in the creek adjacent to our back yard. Next, we heard that a colony of Flying Foxes had been moved from the North Eton township and we thought very little of that at the time

  Since that eventful occasion, we have been monitoring the comings and the goings of these flying animals. As time has gone on, we’ve noticed that the colony of mainly Little Blacks, has been spending more and more time roosting in the trees along the creek and gradually we have seen this colony grow significantly in size. Over the past couple of months we have seen a noticeable expansion of the roost area which has meant that they encroaching ever closer to our, our neighbours and other residents properties nearby. We know of two neighbours who are using spot-lights in an effort to deter the flying foxes from settling in trees on their properties.

Recently we made contact with council’s Environmental Protection Officer who came out and assessed the situation but could offer us no satisfactory solution to the problem. The local Chanel 7 T.V. station was contacted and a news crew came and ran a story highlighting our plight and the Daily Mercury has also published a story.

During a twenty-four hour period we accumulated 531 signatures from local residents who were concerned about the dangers associated with Flying Foxes and who would prefer to see them gone from their current location. Many people that we have spoken with are fearing that if the situation continues on its current trend that their lives will be adversely affected by the sheer closeness of the animals plus the increased risk of contacting the deadly diseases, the Hendra virus and the Lyssavirus, no matter how small the risks may be. We also heard many complaints from residents and others who came to shop at the Walkerston Plaza shopping complex, saying that the noise and the smell was very off-putting. Also nearby are two state schools where anxious parents are keeping a watchful eye on the proximity of this growing colony of Flying Foxes.

All we are asking is that these animals be moved away from where people live and where people congregate. They are simply not welcome and these animals do not belong in built up areas. The question we’d like answered is, “Why should we be deprived of the simple pleasures of enjoying the outdoors by the pool entertaining with family and friends around the barbeque without the noise, the smell and without the job of cleaning up every day?”

Mayor Cr Deirdre Comerford has been approached and was asked out for a visit but has not accepted the invitation at this stage. However councilor Frank Gilbert and Laurence Bonaventura agreed to meet with us and a small group of concerned business owners, representatives from both local schools and neighbours on Monday 16^th of March. The Member for Mirani Jim Pearce also attended this meeting. A second meeting has been proposed when council can present us with a plan of action, - supposedly within a fortnight of the first meeting.

So it is up to the residents of Walkerston, if you want something done about the issue then you need to voice your opinion and express how you feel to the Mackay Regional Council now.

Daryl, Heather & Kate Barnes

 Photography: Steve Dew                 


     

         

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