We are collaborating with Griffith University to improve the effectiveness of our flying fox education and communication.

Project overview

In 2022, we engaged independent experts to do research into local flying fox knowledge. You can learn more about that project here.

The study concluded that Council’s efforts to educate the community on flying-foxes were effective, however more could be done to reach our community.

This survey is a continuation of that research into how we can improve future flying fox communication to our Sunshine Coast community.

Community engagement

Survey - now closed

The community was asked to complete a survey which closed on September 10, 2023.

The survey data was analysed and used to inform a co-design workshop.

Co-design workshop

The community was invited to participate in a 90-minute workshop to share ideas on the best ways to educate the community about flying foxes. These workshops were hosted by the Social Marketing @ Griffith team on 29 and 30 September, 2023.

Closing the loop

To better reach our community, each message has to be tailored to the different audiences across our region. Social Marketing @ Griffith specialise in this field and undertook the following:

• community survey to identify the behaviours, barriers and attitudes of the different audiences across the Sunshine Coast
• co-design workshops with each of the audiences to co-create the messages and potential approaches
• croduce a report to council with the recommendations.

Themes of the feedback

There were three main audiences identified:

• Mutualists or "Flying Fox Lovers" (55.1% of the population)
• Distanced (29% of the population)
• Utilitarians (15.57% of the population)

These people had a wide array of backgrounds, an average age of 55 and were long-term residents of the SC (Ave 16 years).They have a strong belief in the importance of flying foxes and support for council policies

These people had an average age of 54, had lived on the coast for average 14 years and had a high agreement with the importance of flying foxes. Despite this, they had a neutral stance on wildlife issues and were unlikely to be involved in conservation efforts

This group had the oldest average age (62 years) and had lived on the coast for around 25 years. They are mostly retired or semi-retired and have low belief in the importance of flying foxes and support for council policies, and have limited involvement in wildlife protection activities

The co-design workshops addressed the following three questions:

• What types of messages and what communication channels should be used in the future flying fox conservation program? When and in what frequency?
• What formats of educational/informational events should be organised and delivered to improve community engagement?
• Generally, will the above two strategies help reduce barriers and enhance benefits to embrace the desired behaviours?

Statement of what we are already doing and what we are doing going forward

The co-design workshops identified eight key recommendations, seven of which are already actively undertaken by Council. Several of these will be reviewed and revised to ensure the products better address each audience.

• Council to develop and fund different products/services to support affected landowners – Program already running to eligible properties
• Council-led establishment of suitable habitat areas to encourage flying fox roosts in low-conflict areas – Program already running
• Council and affected residents’ collaboration for mitigating human-flying fox conflicts – Community meetings already done as per RFFMP
• On-site support: Council home visits for affected landowners – Already provided for properties nearby roosts on Council land
• Engaging the unengaged by making conservation relevant via simplified events and activities – Existing program to be revised to incorporate suggestions
• Fact-based educational outreach on flying fox conservation – Existing collateral to be revised to better target each audience. Five new products suggested.
• Comprehensive educational approach: K-12 integration and involving various stakeholders – Teacher’s package created and to be better promoted through Council website
• Encourage businesses to stock wildlife-friendly products (e.g., appropriate nets, not barb wire) – For further investigation

Background

Why is this research being conducted?

In 2022, we engaged independent experts to do research into local flying fox knowledge. You can learn more about that project here.

The study concluded that Council’s efforts to educate the community on flying-foxes were effective, however more could be done to reach our community.

This survey is a continuation of that research into how we can improve future flying fox communication to our Sunshine Coast community.

We are collaborating with social marketing experts, Griffith University, in this research.

Flying foxes are important members of many ecosystems and play a key role in maintaining biodiversity by helping to pollinate and disperse the seeds of many plant species.

Flying foxes are facing various threats to their survival, including habitat loss, diseases, and human disturbance.

Conservation efforts, such as habitat protection and restoration, and reducing human disturbance, are important for preserving flying fox populations and ensuring their continued survival.

There are many things that individuals can do to minimise the impact of flying-foxes within their residential settings as well as reduce the risk of disease transmission. We are conducting surveys so we can identify and address the barriers to these behaviours to improve the effectiveness of our communication.

The expected benefits of the research

Promote conservation of flying foxes on the Sunshine Coast, including increasing awareness and knowledge, and taking conservation actions such as minimising disturbance.