The challenges to the existence of the plants and animals that define Australia are bigger than ever. Australia’s unique biodiversity is part of our national identity. Our plants and animals are central to the cultural identity of First Nations people, who have managed the Australian environment for over 65 thousand years and continue to shape the landscape through their stewardship. Our biodiversity is fundamental to the health of our environment, economy and community. Our native species and ecological communities face significant challenges from accumulated and compounding threats. These include the pervading and invasive threat of pests and weeds, habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, and more frequent and extensive natural disasters. With one of the highest rates of extinction in the modern world, it is clear that the trajectory for many of Australia’s native plants and animals must change.

The Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), Spectacled Flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus subsp. conspicillatus) and the Christmas Island Flying-fox (Pteropus melanotus natalis) are listed under national environmental law (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, the EPBC Act). The numbers of all three EPBC listed flying-foxes have declined over recent times, due to habitat clearance, natural stochastic events and culling.

Listed as Endangered (Date effective 22-Feb-2019)

Management of flying-fox roosts

The Queensland Government recognises the need for urban flying-fox roosts to be managed in a way that addresses both community expectations and the long-term conservation of flying-foxes which play an important role as pollinators for many native plant species.

Local governments’ as-of-right authority to manage flying-fox roosts

The Government also recognises the important role local governments continue to play in managing issues around flying-fox roosts in urban areas. Local governments have an as-of right authority under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA) to manage flying-fox roosts in Urban Flying-Fox Management Areas (UFFMA).

1. Purpose and operation of this code

1.1 The purpose of this Code of Practice— Ecologically sustainable management of flying-foxroosts

(‘the Code’) is to ensure that the chance of management actions under this code resulting in harm to

flying-foxes is minimised and all appropriate welfare standards are upheld.

1.2 This code sets out how local governments operating under section 61 of the Nature Conservation

(Animals) Regulation 2020, may undertake management actions, whichmay:

1.2.1 destroy a flying-fox roost

1.2.2 drive away, or attempt to drive away, a flying-fox from a flying-fox roost

1.2.3 disturb a flying-fox in a flying-fox roost.

1.3 This code should be read in conjunction with the Flying-fox Roost Management Guideline and the

Code of Practice – Low impact activities affecting flying-fox roosts.

1.4 This code is made under section 174A of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (‘theAct’).

1. Purpose and operation of this code

1.1 The purpose of this Code of Practice— Low impact activities affecting flying-fox roosts (‘the Code’) is

to ensure that the chance of low impact activities under this code resulting in harm to flying-foxes is

minimised and that appropriate welfare standards are upheld.

1.2 This code sets out how a person may undertake low impact activities at, or near, a flying-fox roost

anywhere in the State of Queensland in accordance with section 62 of the Nature Conservation

(Animals) Regulation 2020.

1.3 This code should be read in conjunction with the Flying-fox Roost Management Guideline and the

Code of Practice – Ecologically sustainable management of flying-fox roosts.

1.4 This code is made under section 174A of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (‘theAct’).

The Douglas Shire Council appreciates that flying-fox roosts can be a source of unpleasant noise and smells in some places and recognises the need for flying-fox management arrangements to achieve a balance between addressing the concerns of impacted residents with the need to protect and retain flying-fox populations in the wild which play an essential role as pollinators for many native plant species.

This report aims to address on ongoing concerns raised by Niramaya Villas and Spa Port Douglas by finding the balance point where community well-being is protected and flying-fox sustainability and welfare is not threatened.

1. Purpose

The purpose of this flying-fox roost management guideline is to provide information to local governments and flying-fox roost management permit (FFRMP) holders to:

-assist decision making regarding management options at flying-fox roosts

-maximise the effectiveness of any management action undertaken at flying-fox roosts

-minimise the likelihood of any management actions causing harm to flying-foxes.