Pines on way for bats to continue ruling the roost

Andrew Mathieson
CITY Hall is planting new pine trees in Eastern Park to keep fruit bats out of Geelong Botanical Gardens.
Most of Geelong’s 15,000 bats return from annual migration during winter cold snaps, with the City estimating between 2000 and 4000 roost in Eastern Park near Geelong Gun Club.
However, councillor Barbara Abley said the bats’ pine tree homes were dying.
“We’ve actually identified the trees that will need to be replaced over time because they’re 100-odd years old and we want to make sure they’re indigenous to the area,” said Cr Abley, who holds council’s parks and gardens portfolio.
“No live tree will be taken out but it’s really important there are sufficient trees growing for the bats.”
Cr Abley said a tree surgeon had tested the health of every tree in Eastern Park.
The diagnosis found that drought was partly to blame for the dying trees, she said.
Cr Abley did not expect the bats to have any adverse impact on the environmentally sensitive botanic gardens.
“I’ve been assured there has been no marked increase in the bat population,” Cr Abley said.
“It’s their natural habitat and we’re happy for them to remain in the park. We certainly don’t want them venturing into the botanic gardens itself but that’s not their habitat.”
Council adopted a strategic plan for Eastern Park in January after consultation with groups including Friends of the Geelong Botanic Gardens.