A CONSULTANT has been engaged to rid Charters Towers of its bat problem, however progress has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The roost at Lissner Park, which was targeted for relocation, remains in place as the new site at Young's Block, about 4km from town, has not been rehabilitated.
Charters Towers Mayor Frank Beveridge called on Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch to intervene, saying the ideal time to move the bats was April/May and the window was fast closing.
But a Department of Environment and Science spokeswoman, while acknowledging the delays, said progress was being made on the project.
She said the department was finalising arrangements so work to construct the alternative flying fox roost could start as soon as practicable.
Improvement works at the site will include earth works and turf, water supply, irrigation and a pond, fencing and lighting, which are designed to make the site appealing to flying foxes.
"The COVID-19 pandemic response has affected many aspects of the project's delivery, including the potential pool of suppliers with relatively few offers were received through the tendering process," the spokeswoman said.
"These delays were unforeseeable and the resulting frustration of the Charters Towers community is acknowledged and understood by DES."
She said DES had recently contracted an environmental consultant to undertake the physical dispersal and relocation of the flying foxes out of Lissner Park.
They will assess the site after work is complete and set dispersal timing based on site condition and the flying fox breeding cycle.
"CSIRO's advice is that because of the Lissner Park black flying foxes' breeding cycle, dispersal and relocation can be undertaken up until mid-August," the spokeswoman said.
The state government allocated $900,000 for habitat works at an alternate roost site and flying fox dispersal at Lissner Park in 2018.
