Newsroom
Worlde’s Most Expensive Bat Park Free of Bats
February 24, 2022
Katter’s Australian Party Leader and Traeger MP Robbie Katter has expressed his concerns about the length of time it is taking for the dispersal and relocation of the flying foxes currently taking roost in many areas of Charters Towers.
“I am aware that dispersals such as this are complex and there is a lot of planning involved, however the flying fox crisis in town is only worsening and it is unfair to expect Charters Towers residents to continue to live in these terrible conditions indefinitely,” Mr Katter said.
“The dispersal plan has been in place for quite some time now, and it worries me thinking about the amount of money that was spent on funding the development of the park area at Young’s Block. This development would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“The park is a roost site for the bats, including turfed lawns and a damn, well established trees and is fenced to prevent predators and humans from entering, and presently this is all sitting there going to waste.”
The initial dispersal was scheduled for April, 2020 however delays in the completion of the vicinity caused this date to be pushed back.
The dispersal again was delayed in July of 2020 as the flying fox were carrying young.
“We are now edging our way further and further into 2022 and the dispersal has still not commenced” Mr Katter said.
“I am aware that the council has been advocating for and supporting this dispersal and have advised that a dispersal program will be arranged in the coming weeks, however we’ve become accustomed to being disappointed and won’t be holding our breath. The department of environment seem to be experts at blocking any real action on removal.
“The residents of Charters Towers have put up with this for long enough.
“This flying fox population has been inhabiting their parks, schools, aged care homes, private residents and limiting hours at the local pool for decades now.
“Locals have been patient, and there has been a lot of money spent on this issue – let’s get the job done.”