Flying fox influx overruns Mount Isa suburb 'like a cloud coming over'

In short:

Mount Isa residents say an influx of flying foxes is damaging trees, covering properties in droppings and making outdoor areas unusable.

The state government says the animals are expected to move on once trees finish flowering.

What's next?

Residents want the flying foxes moved away from homes and greater help with clean-up and damage, while Mount Isa City Council has been asked what action it is taking.

As dusk settles over the outback city of Mount Isa a dark plume rises from the trees surrounding homes in the suburb of Sunset.

Thousands of flying foxes stream into the evening sky.

For 24-year-old doctor Aaron Gray the spectacle has lost its initial sparkle.

Dr Gray moved to Mount Isa this year for postgraduate medical training and bought his first home as "a little present to himself" in June.

The established garden was part of the attraction, but within about a week there was "an explosion" of flying foxes.

His garden is now covered in droppings, dead flying foxes, leaves and fallen branches.

At one point he was spending three to four hours a day cleaning.

"I've just given up and just let it go," Dr Gray said.

'Like a cloud coming over'

A few doors away, long-time property owner Tony Tolke has watched the colony grow.

"It's just like a cloud coming over," Mr Tolke said.

"It's never been as bad as this."

Branches have blocked Mr Tolke's driveway and droppings cover cars, the roof and a boat.

His pregnant daughter is a paramedic and shift worker, and the family had to move her baby shower away from the house.

"You can't even enjoy your own home,"Mr Tolke said.

He said wet season insurance repairs had also been delayed because builders were unwilling to work at the property while the flying foxes remained.

Residents want action

The residents want authorities to encourage the flying foxes away from homes and provide more help with the aftermath.

Dr Gray said the problem had left him increasingly confined to his home.

He said the council environmental officers had visited his property but told him their "hands are tied", legally.

He later asked for visiting state wildlife officers to meet affected residents but said they instead drove through the area.

"A drive-by is not really the same as going into the property and speaking with the actual residents affected by it,"Dr Gray said.

The Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation confirmed a little red flying fox camp had formed in trees across private properties.

It said it expected the animals to move on once the trees finished flowering.

A department spokesperson said wildlife rangers had inspected the site and met with Mount Isa City Council to provide advice on management options.

Under Queensland conservation laws, landholders can use deterrents including noise, lights and water sprays to discourage flying foxes from returning, provided the animals are not harmed.

Council considers moving flying foxes

Mount Isa City Council chief executive Tim Rose said new state advice had established the flying foxes were not breeding at the site.

"We can start having a look at moving the bats on because they're not breeding there, which is a positive outcome," Mr Rose said.

Options include noise and potentially reducing vegetation, with the council considering a coordinated approach with residents.

"They call it nudging," Mr Rose said.

The council received a $38,500 state government grant last year to develop a flying fox management plan.

Mr Rose said the draft plan, developed following community consultation, was now with the department for feedback.

Residents have criticised the council's response to the influx but Mr Rose said, "I think we've done everything we can."

He said the council had needed state advice about what it could legally do because flying foxes were protected.

Mr Rose said the council was unlikely to financially assist residents with cleaning, increased water bills or property damage.

"Probably not, to be perfectly frank and honest," he said.

"We're probably not responsible for bats being there."

Residents have questioned whether the council's vegetation clearing along Breakaway Creek contributed to the flying foxes moving into the area.

Mr Rose said the clearing was undertaken because of flooding concerns.

"We can't really say one way or the other whether it made any difference or not," he said.

For Dr Gray, the issue is increasingly about the life he came to Mount Isa to build.

"I understand the benefit to the environment, but should it really come at the cost of our livelihood and our homes?" he said.