THE State Government has knocked back a request for funding from the Southern Downs Regional Council to assist with the high costs of dispersing a flying fox colony – despite the bats roosting on state-owned land.
Minister for Environment and Heritage, Andrew Powell, wrote to Mayor Peter Blundell on 3 April.
The letter was passed in during SDRC’s general meeting at Warwick on Wednesday, 24 April.
Mr Powell was asked by SDRC to reimburse a total bill of more than $30,000, which was used to monitor, mitigate and eventually shift the flying fox colony from behind Hamilton Oval, near the Warwick State High School.
“I am pleased to hear that the dispersal program in Southern Downs Regional Council area has been progressing quickly and well,” Mr Powell said.
Mr Powell acknowledged the high cost and stretched resources in shifting the flying fox colony, but said the department had provided support through speeding up the application process.
“The department has provided in-kind support by having officers expedite the application process and be on site to provide support and immediate feedback on the dispersal process,” Mr Powell said.
“I have considered your request for reimbursement of costs of $30,000 for the council’s flying fox dispersal activities and am unfortunately unable to provide you with assistance in this matter.”
Meanwhile, SDRC and River Trust have cleared a large area of trees from behind Hamilton Oval where the flying fox colony had roosted.
A SDRC spokesperson said the clearing was part of a joint project between council and the River Trust to remove invasive plant species and promote native plants.
Main meat markets improved
Weather played a factor on the import of numbers for the weekly sales. It was great for the area to receive the falls but...
