Colac Otway Shire Council will recommence a ‘nudging’ program of the Grey-headed Flying Foxes to encourage the native animals to roost elsewhere in Colac’s Botanic Gardens to protect heritage trees.
The nudging process, is in accordance with a Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) issued Permit to Control Wildlife, with all activity overseen by an expert who will be onsite to ensure the wellbeing of the Flying Foxes.
Council’s Manager of Services and Operations Cameron Duthie said the Flying Foxes were continuing to have an adverse impact on the health of significant and heritage listed trees the gardens.
“Over the last few weeks, the number of Flying Foxes roosting in trees in the gardens has fluctuated from between 1,200 to approximately 3,600 with noticeable damage being caused to significant trees by the native animals.
“The DELWP approved program for the nudging process will include the use of some noise, lighting effects and wind dancers to deter the Flying Foxes from roosting in the heritage listed trees when they return to the gardens after their night feeding.
“Our intention is to encourage the Flying Foxes from where they’re currently roosting, to more robust pine trees nearby in the gardens which are able to house the colony in a more sustainable way. The trees are located toward the foreshore away from the fountain, playground and BBQ area.
“Activities undertaken are in strict adherence to the DELWP licence conditions to minimise impact on the Flying Foxes and community. This includes nudging activities only occurring between 4pm and 9am and for a maximum of 2.5 hours within any 12-hour period.
“No nudging activities can occur when Flying Foxes are heavily pregnant, dependent young are present or after a heat stress event and can only occur between 1 April and 31 August.
“Grey-headed Flying Foxes play a vital role in ecology and are a protected and endangered species; Council’s aim of this program is to find a balance for cohabitation while protecting our Botanic Gardens as a much loved and well-used recreation space for our community,” Mr Duthie said.
To allow daily nudging activities to occur, Council will close the Colac Botanic Gardens to vehicle traffic from Tuesday 3 May for the duration of the 14-day program. Pedestrian access to the Gardens will also be closed from 6.30am to 9am each morning for the duration of the program.
“We apologise there will be some closures at the Gardens while nudging activities take place, however this is necessary from a community safety point of view and for the welfare of the Flying Foxes,” Mr Duthie said.
