The state government says councils will find it easier to manage and disperse flying fox roosts following its review of flying-fox roost management codes.
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said the release of updated codes of practice would better meet the needs of stakeholders while protecting flying foxes.
"The amendments to the codes will give councils more flexibility to manage temporary camps and permanent roosts," Ms Enoch said.
"We now have codes that allows councils to apply new and innovative techniques to manage roosts, while ensuring the protection of flying foxes."
The new codes ensure that the management at roosts will not pose a threat to the conservation or welfare of flying-foxes and includes additional considerations to prevent impacts to the animals .
The review included a 12-month consultation process, two rounds of written submissions, and stakeholder meetings.
Under the new codes, councils can use sprinklers to shift flying foxes away from businesses and residences, create buffers to create distance between camps and roosts and businesses and residences, and they have a four week right of dispersal rather than two weeks
Minister Enoch thanked the Mount Isa City Council for their contribution to the new code.
"Due to recent community concern, $100,000 in funding for the Mount Isa City Council has been approved to assist in a trial project to develop an alternative flying-fox roost," she said.
"This funding will help the Council reduce the impacts from flying-foxes in the roost at the Mount Isa Cemetery, working towards moving them to an alternative site."
Mayor Joyce McCulloch said the issue would take time to resolve.
She said Council were going to seek the help of experts to find a permanent alternative location.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
