Susan Island Flying-fox Habitat Restoration

Flying-foxes are irresistibly cute and play an essential role in healthy ecosystems, but conflict with humans can occur when they set up camp in residential areas.

To help flying-foxes and humans to peacefully co-exist, Council has been working with several partners to rehabilitate natural roosting and breeding habitat, as part of the Susan Island - Restoring to Reduce Conflict project.

The project aims to rehabilitate around 36 hectares of remnant rainforest habitat, which is home to three species of flying-fox, including the vulnerable grey-headed variety. Numbers of flying-foxes on the island during summer can vary from several thousand to in excess of 100,000.

More than 3500 local plants and trees have been planted on Susan Island in the first 15 months of the eight-year project.

More than 500 hours of labour to combat weeds has helped fast-track natural recovery of native vegetation on the island.

In addition to planting and weed control, Susan Island's traditional custodians have hosted public visits to increase awareness of its environmental and cultural significance.

The project is being delivered by Clarence Valley Council in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Susan and Elizabeth Island Recreation Land Manager, and the cultural custodians Nyami Julgaa Women's Group, with funding support from Local Government NSW and the NSW Department of Primary Industries.