- Seven Queensland local governments will receive funding under the latest round of Queensland's Flying-Fox Roost Management—Local Government Grant Program.
- The councils will receive a total of $250,000 for nine separate flying-fox roost management projects.
- Originally a four-year $2 million initiative ending in 2024, the grant program has been allocated an additional $1.5 million to extend it for a further three years.
Local communities are the winners with Queensland councils continuing to receive funding to reduce nuisance from flying-fox roosts and for projects helping residents and businesses co-exist with flying-foxes.
Originally a four-year $2 million initiative, ending in 2024, the Flying-Fox Roost Management – Local Government Grant Program has received an extra $1.5 million to extend it for a further three years.
The latest round of the program will see seven Queensland councils receive a total of $250,000, for nine flying-fox roost management projects.
Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) Deputy Director-General Mr Ben Klaassen said councils will use the funding for projects to prepare roost management plans, undertake roost management activities and for programs to make it easier for residents to live near flying-fox roosts.
"Flying-foxes are essential for the survival of native forests but they can also pose significant challenges for councils that have roosts in parks and reserves in urban areas," Mr Klaassen said.
"The new funding will help councils address these challenges and reduce the nuisance impacts of flying-fox roosts on nearby communities"
DETSI is working closely with the Local Government Association of Queensland to ensure funds are targeted to the areas of greatest need.
Scenic Rim Regional Council Mayor Tom Sharp said earlier funding received through this program helped develop Council's "Scenic Rim Flying-Fox Management Strategy 2023–2028" to reduce negative interaction between flying-foxes and residents, while acknowledging their status as protected species.
"We are delighted to receive further funding through this latest grant round which will support 'on ground' management action under the strategy," Cr Sharp said.
