A growing population of flying foxes in a residential area has prompted the Gympie Regional Council to consider a property buyback scheme as a potential solution to the issues caused by the bats. The council discussed this plan during its latest meeting, which included various options to manage the roosting situation.

Residents near Commissioners Gully, such as Chris Nevin, have reported unbearable noise and unpleasant odors from the bats. "The main concerns we have is around health, because we've found several dead bats in our yard and the government website says not to handle them," Nevin stated. He expressed concern about the damage the bats cause to trees, noting that branches have collapsed under their weight. "We've had a few trees fall over and land on our fence," he added.

Nevin is particularly worried about the health risks for his family. "I'm worried about the kids and the animals playing in the yard if they start playing in whatever the bats are dropping," he said. He also mentioned that their dog had difficulty adjusting to the presence of the bats, leading them to find a new home for the pet.

The Gympie Regional Council's plan aims to secure government funding to manage the vegetation in the flying fox habitat, implement dispersal measures, and explore the possibility of a property buyback scheme for affected residents. Mayor Glen Hartwig emphasized the need for state and federal government support, stating, "It's a significant problem for these residents because it's had bats move in there a number of years ago and the colony has grown significantly."

Hartwig pointed out that current dispersal methods have not been effective. "Trimming a bit of vegetation or putting irrigation sprinkler systems in the trees does little to assist the impost that these people suffer," he said. He argued that since state and federal legislation protects the bats, the governments should also be responsible for addressing the issues they create.

In Queensland, flying foxes are protected under the Nature Conservation Act, as well as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act at the federal level. Hartwig mentioned, "If that means a buyback system where the state or federal government funds the buyback of a property, then we would be open to that discussion."

In response to Hartwig's comments, a federal government spokesperson noted that support is already provided to local councils for flying fox management. They acknowledged the challenges faced by native bats, including habitat loss and disease, and recognized that increasing numbers of flying fox camps near urban areas are causing conflicts with residents.

The spokesperson also highlighted the impact of climate change, citing a 2018 heatwave that significantly affected the spectacled flying fox population in Far North Queensland. The grey-headed flying fox is recognized as a matter of national environmental significance under federal law.

The state government has committed to assisting Queensland councils in managing flying fox roosts, allocating over $50,000 to help Gympie Regional Council mitigate the impacts on local residents. However, both federal and state environment departments have not indicated whether they would consider a property buyback.

While flying foxes can be a nuisance, researchers emphasize their ecological importance. Professor Clare Stawski, a terrestrial vertebrate ecologist at the University of the Sunshine Coast, explained that flying foxes are vital pollinators for many native species. "Without them, a lot of our native species would become extinct," she said.

Stawski acknowledged the challenges of dispersal methods, noting that less than a quarter of attempts across Australia have been successful. "They usually take a long time and [the flying foxes] often come back within 10 years," she said. She suggested that extending roost vegetation away from human populations could help reduce the impact of the colonies. "If they do move the vegetation further away, they can see the colonies establish in these areas within seven years," she added.

The ongoing situation highlights the need for a balanced approach to managing both the flying fox population and the concerns of affected residents.