Cairns Regional Council remains committed to relocating flying foxes near the city library using Council funds.

The commitment comes despite two south-east Queensland councils presenting submissions to the State Government to fund flying fox management earlier this week.

According to a Queensland Times report, the Lockyer Valley and Ipswich council submissions reference government support for councils and greater powers to control flying fox numbers, respectively. They will be discussed at the upcoming Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAWQ) annual conference, in Cairns.

As The Newsport reported on May 31, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Protection transferred flying-fox roost management to local councils on May 2 of this year. Under new laws, councils in certain urban areas are able to manage problem roosts themselves. The Cairns Regional Council applied for a Permit to relocate the library bat colonies on March 27 of this year. It was the second recent motion brought by Council, with the first voted down in October 2012.

A Cairns Regional Council spokesperson told The Newsport “Council has committed to funding the relocation of flying foxes in the Cairns City Library precinct, with preliminary cost estimates of up to $40,000.”

“While Cairns Regional Council has not specifically made an approach to the State Government for funding to relocate flying foxes, the Local Government Association of Queensland has taken such a position on behalf of councils that are facing this issue.

“Council is supportive of any efforts by the LGAQ on this topic.”

Read related Newsport articles:

• Roosts are long-term investment for bats
• Council to move on Cairns flying fox colony