RESIDENTS living near Wallace Park may have a reprieve from the impact of neighbouring flying-foxes as Noosa Council confirms recent reports suggesting the flying-foxes have moved back to Goat Island.
Council’s principal environment officer Peter Milne said it is normal for flying-foxes to reduce in numbers at this time of the year.
“But it is great news that they have decided to go back to their old roost site on Goat Island. Of course, being highly mobile, flying-foxes can pretty well roost anywhere in the shire, and it’s impossible to predict where that might be,” he said.
Mayor Tony Wellington said he was pleased to hear the flying-fox colony had moved on.
“It is essential the flying-foxes are not disturbed, and so I would urge people to stay away from Goat Island. Some of these flying-foxes have likely experienced dispersals in other areas and would thus be unsettled,” he said.
Goat Island is managed by the Queensland Department of National Parks, Sports and Racing. Council will be talking with the State Government about a possible exclusion zone around the island. Under an exclusion zone, public access would not be permitted and boats and flying craft would also need to be kept well clear.
“It is not uncommon for flying-fox camp sites to relocate every few years. This is a very pleasing result that is no doubt a product of nature at work,” Cr Wellington said.
The movement of the colony comes just weeks after Wallace Park residents threatened council with legal action over the flying-fox roost and demanded a cull of the colony that has plagued the area for years.
