Flying Fox Statement of Management Intent (SoMI) Update

We are updating the Flying Fox Statement of Management Intent (SoMI), which guides how flying-fox roosts are managed on City-owned and City-managed land.

This review will ensure our approach reflects current science, State guidelines and community expectations, while continuing to meet environmental and legislative requirements.

Flying-foxes are native to Australia and play an important role in our environment. Three species are found on the Gold Coast. You can learn more about flying-fox species, ecology and our current management approaches here.

We manage flying-fox roosts using a staged approach that aims to reduce impacts on nearby residents while protecting these native species. The focus is managing impacts where they occur, rather than moving flying-foxes to other areas. This includes monitoring roosts, maintaining and modifying habitats, using vegetation buffers, and providing information to the community.

Management actions are applied based on the level of impact at each site, with the aim of reducing impacts for residents while minimising disturbance to flying-foxes.

Relocation or dispersing flying-foxes is not used a standard approach because it is costly, often ineffective, and can create additional impacts elsewhere. Dispersal is only considered in rare and extreme circumstances.

What we’re asking the community

We’re seeking feedback to help inform the final SoMI, particularly from people who live, work in or regularly visit areas near flying-fox roosts or high activity areas.

We want to understand:

  • impacts associated with flying-fox activity, and which matter the most
  • priorities for managing impacts
  • your views on the proposed management approach
  • community support for how we prioritise management responses
  • perceived effectiveness of management techniques and examples of successful co‑existence.

Your feedback will help inform how management approaches are prioritised and ensure they are supported by the community.

Have Your Say

You don’t need to read the full technical document to take part. Summaries are included in the survey below and FAQs are available to support your participation.

Have your say and help shape the final Flying Fox Statement of Management Intent.

As a thank you for taking the time to share your views, participants can choose to enter a prize draw to win a $250 eftpos gift voucher (terms and conditions apply).

Consultation is open from 8 to 28 June 2026.

We are updating the Flying Fox Statement of Management Intent (SoMI), which guides how flying-fox roosts are managed on City-owned and City-managed land.

This review will ensure our approach reflects current science, State guidelines and community expectations, while continuing to meet environmental and legislative requirements.

Flying-foxes are native to Australia and play an important role in our environment. Three species are found on the Gold Coast. You can learn more about flying-fox species, ecology and our current management approaches here.

We manage flying-fox roosts using a staged approach that aims to reduce impacts on nearby residents while protecting these native species. The focus is managing impacts where they occur, rather than moving flying-foxes to other areas. This includes monitoring roosts, maintaining and modifying habitats, using vegetation buffers, and providing information to the community.

Management actions are applied based on the level of impact at each site, with the aim of reducing impacts for residents while minimising disturbance to flying-foxes.

Relocation or dispersing flying-foxes is not used a standard approach because it is costly, often ineffective, and can create additional impacts elsewhere. Dispersal is only considered in rare and extreme circumstances.

What we’re asking the community

We’re seeking feedback to help inform the final SoMI, particularly from people who live, work in or regularly visit areas near flying-fox roosts or high activity areas.

We want to understand:

  • impacts associated with flying-fox activity, and which matter the most
  • priorities for managing impacts
  • your views on the proposed management approach
  • community support for how we prioritise management responses
  • perceived effectiveness of management techniques and examples of successful co‑existence.

Your feedback will help inform how management approaches are prioritised and ensure they are supported by the community.

Have Your Say

You don’t need to read the full technical document to take part. Summaries are included in the survey below and FAQs are available to support your participation.

Have your say and help shape the final Flying Fox Statement of Management Intent.

As a thank you for taking the time to share your views, participants can choose to enter a prize draw to win a $250 eftpos gift voucher (terms and conditions apply).

Consultation is open from 8 to 28 June 2026.

  • Flying Fox Statement of Management Intent (SoMI) update

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Page last updated: 08 Jun 2026, 11:04 AM