Flying-foxes

Flying Foxes on Private Property

If flying foxes have begun roosting in trees on your property, please review the information below to understand their roosting behaviour, your responsibilities as a resident, Council’s role, and relevant legal and health resources.

Important Information for Property Owners

Flying Fox Roosting Patterns

Flying foxes are highly mobile and often move between roosts depending on food availability and other environmental factors.
It is common for them to establish temporary roosts and leave shortly afterward. The sudden appearance of flying foxes on your property does not necessarily mean they will stay permanently.
Nevertheless, Council encourages residents to report any new roosting activity, regardless of duration.

Permanent or Long-Term Roosts

Long-term roosts may expand, contract, or shift slightly within a general area based on the season, weather conditions, and population size.
If flying foxes appear to be establishing a permanent presence on your property—or if you are concerned that this may occur—please take note of the following:

Key Information for Residents:

Legislative Responsibility
- Local Government entities are not legislatively obligated to manage flying foxes on private property.
- All matters involving potential harm or disturbance to flying foxes fall under the jurisdiction of the Queensland Government, specifically the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI).
- Reports regarding flying fox harm or roost disturbance should be directed to DETSI.
Council's Role
- Councils may manage flying fox roosts on public land located within Urban Flying Fox Management Areas, in accordance with a defined Code of Practice.
- Gympie Regional Council (GRC) follows a low-impact, staged approach to roost management as outlined in its Statement of Management Intent(PDF, 2MB) (SoMI).
Legal Protections
- Flying foxes and their roosts are protected under the following legislation:
  - Nature Conservation Act 1992 (QLD)
  - Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
  - Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (QLD)
- It is an offence to harm or disturb flying foxes. Breaches are investigated by the appropriate state departments and may result in prosecution and substantial fines.
- Any suspected disturbances or harm to roosts must be reported to DETSI via their Wildlife Reporting page.
Council Resources
- Council provides a range of information, updates, and resources related to flying fox management on our pages below.
Resident Activities on Private Land
- Residents may carry out routine activities near roost trees, such as:
  - Mowing, weeding, and mulching
  - Minor trimming of vegetation
- These activities must comply with the Code of Practice – Low Impact Activities Affecting Flying-Fox Roosts.
- For any substantial vegetation management within roost areas on private land, residents must apply for a permit from DETSI. Council does not issue these permits. Visit the Flying-Fox Roost Management Permits – DETSI page for more information.
Health Considerations
- Residents with concerns about human health risks related to flying foxes are encouraged to review the following Queensland Government resources:
  - Bats and human health | Health and wellbeing | Queensland Government
  - Flying foxes and Hendra virus | Business Queensland
Important Safety Reminder
- DO NOT touch flying foxes. Injured, sick, or orphaned flying foxes should only be handled by authorised personnel. The primary health risk is through direct contact, particularly bites.
- If you find an injured or distressed flying fox, contact:
  - ANARRA Wildlife Rescue: (07) 5343 4859
  - 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)

Flying foxes play an important role in maintaining Australia's native forest. As Australia's only known long-distance pollinators, they are critical for the continued existence of more than 50 native trees and many Australian eucalypt species that can only be pollinated at night.

The flying-fox is also an important seed disperser and can carry large fruit and seeds over considerable distances, helping to spread seeds throughout the landscape. In fact, each flying-fox can each spread up to 60,000 seeds along a 50km stretch of land every night.