Legal Requirements

All persons are authorised to undertake low impact activities at roosts, i.e. weeding, mulching, mowing or minor tree trimming, however these activities may only be undertaken in accordance with the Code of Practice - Low Impact activities affecting Flying-Fox Roosts.

Operating outside of the code of practice is not aurthorised and may have legal consequences. For example, non-code compliant actions could breach sections of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 or the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, as well as the Commonwealth's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Private landholders can apply for Flying Fox Roost Management Permits (FFRMP), to manage flying fox roosts on their land. Private landholders must apply for a FFRMP for any activity outside the low impact code regardless of whether the area is inside or outside the urban flying-fox management areas (UFFMA). Application forms can be found on the Department of Environment and Science website.

Local governments are authorised as-of-right under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 to manage, including disperse, flying-fox roosts in defined urban areas - UFFMA. The as-of-right management activities are limited to non-lethal methods, and may only be undertaken in accordance with the Code of Practice-Ecologically sustainable management of Flying Fox Roosts. The code of practice ensures acceptable welfare outcomes for flying foxes.

Operating outside of the code of practice, or outside of urban flying-fox management areas without a FFRMP is not authorised and may have legal consequences.

A map of the UFFMA areas within Rockhampton Regional Council area can be found on the Department of Environment and Science website.

Council's Statement of Management Intent outlines how Council will manage both existing and new roosts.