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IPSWICH Nature Centre is set to re-open from Wednesday following a six-week closure amid a record-breaking bat infestation.
The popular attraction at Queens Park was forced to close in late February due to ongoing safety concerns.
It was revealed the number of bats roosting in trees posed a serious disease risk, with many trees or branches also collapsing from the weight of the roosting bats.
Confirmed cases of the potentially deadly Lyssavirus in the area also prompted the shut down of the popular park.
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Councillor Russell Milligan said at the time the centre would not re-open until most of the roost of 22,500 bats had moved on.
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Subscriber only IPSWICH Nature Centre is set to remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future amid a record-breaking flying fox infestation. Councillor Russell Milligan on Tuesday revealed the latest figures showed about 22,500 of the animals were currently roosting at Queens Park. The largest number previously recorded was in 2014 at a total of about 15,000. The revelation comes just weeks after Ipswich City Council closed the area in response safety concerns over the growing population. West Moreton Health also confirmed two bats infected with Australian Bat Lyssavirus were found around Ipswich Central State School last week. The virus can prove lethal to humans, if infected.
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IPSWICH Nature Centre will remain closed this week, with a flying fox colony that has taken up residence at the visitor hot spot increasing in size over the weekend.
The centre closed last Friday, with council officers returning to the roost on Monday to reassess the colony.
More than 5000 flying foxes make the trees in the Nature Centre their home during migration.
There are three species of flying fox roosting in the park: Black flying fox Pteropus Alecto, Grey-headed flying fox Pterpopus poliocephalus and Little red flying fox Pteropus scapulatus.
Although only weighing 600g each, little reds roost in tight clumps which causes the branches to break.
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RESIDENTS across Ipswich who hoped to enjoy outdoor public spaces during Greater Brisbaneâs three-day lockdown will have little luck.
Ipswich City Council confirmed on Friday that several Council managed sites had closed under strict orders from Queensland Government.
All Council libraries, Ipswich Art Gallery, the Civic Centre and co-working space Fire Station 101 have now temporarily shut.
Visitor information centres as well as Council community centres are also no longer operating.
âThe Customer Service Desk in the ICC Administration Building and the council call centre will remain open,â a Council spokesman said. Fire Station 101 is one of many Council managed sites closed for the three-day lockdown. Pic: file photo