Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Caring for a noisy colony
A colony that's home to three different species of flying fox thrives at the mouth of Tooan Tooan Creek on the Hervey Bay Esplanade.
While national and international tourists marvel at the site, its sound and smell make many nearby residents less than enthusiastic.
The number of flying foxes peaks at several hundred thousand with the arrival of the nomadic Little Red Flying Fox in summer. Several thousand Black Flying Foxes live in the site all year round and are joined by a smaller number of the nationally vulnerable Grey-headed Flying Fox in winter.
Weeds, rubbish and damage to roosting trees have degraded the animals' habitat and the Fraser Coast Branch of the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland has been making a concerted effort to care for the colony in recent years.
"These animals play a vital role in regenerating native forests," said Carolyn Bussey, Secretary of the Wildlife Preservation Society Fraser Coast Branch.
"They often travel a long way looking for food, and seeds and pollen carried in their fur are distributed between feeding sites that can be up to 30 kilometres away from their camp.
"So they help maintain genetic diversity and play a part in protecting native forests in our region, including the nearby World Heritage listed Fraser Island."
Funding
The Australian Government has given $12,000 in total for two grants towards cleaning up and replanting the site, and the manufacture and installation of interpretive signage.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife, Hervey Bay City Council, Hervey Bay Community Volunteers and local schools and guides groups have all supported efforts to restore the site.
Activities
Volunteer work parties have helped clear rubbish from the area and Council has assisted in slashing and spraying weeds such as green panic, duranta, Brazilian nightshade, coral berry, and mile-a-minute.
Fast growing trees like casuarinas, wattles, Forest Redgum and banksias have been put in to replace damaged trees and provide roosting sites and screening from the road.
"As well rehabilitating the site, we are trying to make the community more aware of the ecological benefits of the flying foxes," said Carolyn.
The site has been fenced and interpretive signs erected to promote community awareness.
Achievements
Carolyn said that the Wildlife Preservation Society was hoping that improvement in the site's appearance and the involvement of community groups would promote a positive attitude to the colony among Hervey Bay residents.
More information
- Carolyn Bussey, Secretary Fraser Coast Branch Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld Inc: (07) 4129 5979 or frasercoastwpsq@bigpond.com.au
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