FLYING FOX MANAGEMENT · 7/22/2015 · sites across the Wet Tropics however, only 10% are used at any one time. These roosts range in numbers and longevity with all, apart from the

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Agenda – Community Services Committee 22 July 2015 - #4787985

COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE

22 JULY 20153

FLYING FOX MANAGEMENT

Brett Spencer | 10/23/37 | #4391461

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that Council:

1. Endorses the proposed Management Approach pertaining to Flying Foxes as outlined in this report;

2. Endorses the assessment matrix (Attachment 1) as a key tool for determining future Flying Fox management actions;

3. Endorses the Actions, Education and Awareness and Collaboration strategies as outlined in this report; and

4. Delegates authority to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate and finalise all matters relating to the above.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Council’s position on the management of Spectacled Flying Foxes (SFF), in particular at the Library CBD roost site, has always been to reduce the population of SFF to a manageable proportion. This report takes Council’s current approach further in light of recent events, such as a recent expert’s summit and the clearing of trees at the Novotel and Aquarium sites. This extended approach proposed by officers is based on:

Scientific advice and researchConsistency with current and future compliance parametersProviding opportunity to engage more with communitySupport from State and Federal GovernmentsProviding realistic outcomesEffective / efficient use of available resources

In an effort to provide a platform for Council to consider extending its current position on management of SFF’s in urban areas, officers are proposing a strategic approach focussing on:

Management Approach – based on knowledge and researchAction - responding to immediate concernsEducation and AwarenessCollaboration

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BACKGROUND:

Cairns Regional Council held a Councillors, officers and experts summit on 27 and 28 April 2015. This forum was attended by renowned experienced practitioners and academics in the area of managing and researching flying fox behaviours.

In attendance were:Dr David Westcott – Senior Research Scientist CSIROAdam Mckeown – CSIRO ResearcherDr Martin Cohen – Wildlife EcologistDr Rod Van Der Ree – Melbourne Royal Botanical GardensDr John Martin – Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens

The purpose of the summit was to seek advice in relation to developing a realistic and achievable approach to future management of SFF specifically relating to the situation in Cairns. The summit revealed some clear facts regarding management probabilities. It also identified the realities (at that point in time) of what would likely happen at the CBD Library roost site should the removal of trees occur at the adjoining sites (Novotel and Aquarium). In addition it was noted that the Draft Federal EPBC Act Policy Statement (Attachment 2) was likely to be legislated and that this would have an impact on the Cairns situation.

It was evident from the summit that the current and future management of Flying Foxes not only in the CBD, but the wider Cairns community needed to be considered in the context of a holistic approach. Participants attending the summit developed an approach for Council consideration and this was presented to a Councillors workshop on 27 May 2015 and was generally accepted to be a reasonable and realistic approach.

COMMENT:

The outcomes of the summit are submitted for Council consideration as follows.

Management Approach

Council will attempt to maintain the CBD colony in-situ and allow SFF numbers commensurate with the space available in the heritage listed trees at the Library site.Council will increase cleaning and maintenance levels around the CBD Library site.Council will adopt the Flying Fox assessment matrix (Attachment 1) for use by officers when determining what, if any, actions are to occur for use outside of known roost sites in the CRC region.Council will establish a mobile Flying Fox Move On unit to “nudge” the animals to desired locations or roosts if required using predominately noise methods for any such move on actions.

Action

Council will make all reasonable attempts to maintain T5 (Referred to as the Nursery Tree) in situ on the basis that the tree is fenced off to the public and braced to increase structural integrity. However should the structural integrity of the tree deteriorate to an unsustainable level then this position will be reassessed.

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Council will conduct regular tree trimming maintenance at the Library site in accordance with the General Exception order of up to 20% within a two year period. It is unlikely that Council will get approval in 15/16 financial year to undertake trimming works. Therefore the trimming of heritage listed trees is likely to occur around/after July 2016 pending approval.Increased amenity, cleaning and vegetation (understorey) regimes will commence in August 2015.Flying Fox Move On contract will be established by September 2015.Preparation of a detailed species and vegetation management plan for the CBD has commenced. This plan is due for completion in November. It is not specifically designed for Flying Fox management, but will compliment efforts in this regard. The plan will audit current vegetation species including size and condition. Ongoing management techniques will be identified and appropriate work regimes established. This should assist in preventing further intensification of roosting sites. An overall future vegetation strategy including suitable replacement species will be developed in conjunction with future planned works in the CBD and surrounds.

Education and Awareness

Council will establish the Cairns Flying Fox Community Management Working Group. The group will make recommendations to Council in relation to matters of education and awareness strategies and report quarterly to Council on this proposed Management Approach. It is recommended that the composition of the group would be as follows:

Dr David Westcott and Dr Martin CohenNominated Elected Members 2 Community Representatives1 representative from a suitable animal welfare group1 representative from the EHP State and Federal Government agenciesCouncil Officers

The composition and Terms of Reference for the above group will be submitted to Council for approval no later than September 2015.Council will commission reports and seek information from Dr Westcott and Adam McKeown regarding SFF population numbers and also Flying Fox movements (tracking) and report these to Council via the community working group. It is noted that these reports will be a continuation of scientific data gathering that has been occurring for several years.Council has been offered the services of research coordinator Charles Crockford; a mature student enrolled in the School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Herston Campus, Qld. Mr Crockford, who is in the final year (research dissertation)of his Masters in International Public Health, has submitted a project proposal (Attachment 4) entitled “Knowledge and attitudes of bats and bat-borne disease in the general public in Cairns, Australia”. Mr Crockford is willing to undertake this public perception surveying work at no cost to Council and to provide the results for use by the Community Working Group in assisting with developing education and awareness strategies. It is proposed that the draft Public Perceptions Survey (Attachment 5) is utilised to gather this information.

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Collaboration

Council will continue to collaborate with State and Federal Governments on all matters relating to the appropriate management of SFF in the Cairns region.In particular, Council will liaise with the Federal Government in relation to their proposal for the establishment of a Conservation Agreement for SFF’s and will proactively participate in Flying Fox recovery planning where appropriate.

History/Scientific Knowledge

Recent changes to the physical landscapes near the CBD Library site and expert or scientific advice supports that the above Management Approach is appropriate at this time. There are a number of recorded Spectacled Flying Fox (SFF) roost sites across the Cairns Regional Council region. CSIRO estimate that there are 117 known roost sites across the Wet Tropics however, only 10% are used at any one time. These roosts range in numbers and longevity with all, apart from the CBD roost site, being mainly seasonal. The composition of these camps is constantly changing as individuals switch camps, use several camps each, and sometimes temporarily abandon camps.

There are 44 known roost sites within the Cairns Regional Council and six of these are listed as Nationally Important Camps (SFF). There is also evidence that SFF are in decline and may in time be listed as an endangered species (currently threatened status). SFF are known to locate predominately in the tropics of Far North Queensland and PNG. Dr David Westcott estimates that there are likely to be about 150,000 SFF’s in circulation and that the Cairns CBD roost was likely to be hosting anywhere up to 10% of the entire population at any one time. The removal of trees at the Novotel and Aquarium sites has reduced the availability of Flying Fox “accommodation”. The Library site trees thereby remain prominent and would only likely to be able to carry up to 2000-3000 animals.

The Manager Parks and Leisure attended a Flying Fox summit in Brisbane on the 22nd

May 2015. It was evident at this summit that many LGA’s do not have suitable nearby habitats and in most cases are going to extreme measures in terms of actions and associated costs to disperse the Flying Foxes from undesirable areas. The ability to “nudge” the Flying Foxes from non-desirable areas to known roosts or more appropriate locations is an advantage that CRC has over many other Local Government Authorities (LGA’s) in dealing with this matter.

CONSIDERATIONS:

Risk Management:

Council needs to have a strategic approach to this issue and needs to put in place measures now to manage the Flying Fox population in the CBD. A do nothing approach will only further compound impacts in surrounding areas, causing discomfort and unpleasantness for those living close to a roost. Increases in roosts or known locations outside of the CBD may occur as a result of actions within the CBD. Resourcing has been identified to consider action at these locations based on the matrix assessment ratings.

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A proactive education and awareness campaign will reduce public perception that Council is responsible for the current problem by providing facts regarding roles, responsibilities and Council current actions.Working collaboratively with state and federal agencies to review legislation and approval guidelines, will mitigate the potential risk of Councils being accused of accepting the status quo.

Financial

Council has allocated $165,000 in the 2015/16 operational budget to be dispersed as follows:

CBD Tree Management and T5 works Increased CBD cleaning and maintenance works Flying Fox Education and Awareness Program Flying Fox Move On contract

Policy

Council has adopted the following policies and guidelines in relation to this matter:

Flying Fox Roost Management Activities Code of Practice #4200182General Policy for the Management of Flying Fox Colonies #4191916Cairns Spectacled Flying Fox (SFF) Colony Roost Management Plan #4026496

The recommended management approach in this report is consistent with the intent of these previously endorsed documents. These documents remain relevant in relation to guiding and informing about Councils position on management of flying fox activities.

OPTIONS:

Option 1 (recommended)

That Council:

1. endorses the proposed Management Approach pertaining to Flying Foxes as outlined in this report;

2. endorses the assessment matrix (Attachment 1) as a key tool for determining future Flying Fox management actions;

3. endorses the Actions, Education and Awareness and Collaboration strategies as outlined in this report; and

4. Delegates authority to the Chief Executive Officer under Section 257 of the Local Government Act 2009 to negotiate and finalise all matters relating to the above.

Option 2

That Council provides an alternative direction other than that recommended.

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CONSULTATION:

CSIROWildlife EcologistDepartment of Environment and Heritage ProtectionFederal Government Environmental OfficersPractitioners from Melbourne and Sydney Botanical GardensLGAQLGA officers in attendance at the 22nd May Brisbane summit.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Flying Fox Assessment Matrix #43926812. Draft EPBC Act Policy Statement3. Site Map CBD Roost and associated Novotel and Aquarium sites.4. Project Proposal - Knowledge and attitudes of bats and bat borne diseases in the

general public in Cairns, Australia. 5. Draft Public Perceptions Survey

Brett SpencerManager Parks and Leisure

Linda KirchnerGeneral Manager Community Sport and Cultural Services

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ATTACHMENT 1: FLYING FOX ASSESSMENT MATRIX

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ATTACHMENT 2: DRAFT EPBC ACT POLICY STATEMENT

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ATTACHMENT 4: Project Proposal - Knowledge and attitudes of bats and bat borne diseases in the general public in Cairns, Australia.

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ATTACHMENT 5: Draft Public Perceptions Survey

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Documents

FLYING FOX MANAGEMENT · 7/22/2015 · sites across the Wet Tropics however, only 10% are used at any one time. These roosts range in numbers and longevity with all, apart from the