General News
29 July, 2025
Call for new bridge to become bat haven
A CONFERENCE involving more than 400 bat conservation scientists and researchers in Cairns early next month will put pressure on the Queensland Government to include roosting chambers in the new $490 million Barron River bridge at Kuranda.
Denis Moeser, who is a Cairns Regional Council Jabiru volunteer at Cattana Wetlands, is behind the proposal.
He installed wildlife nestboxes, including microbat roosting boxes, at the wetlands.
“I am calling on the state and federal governments to make very minor modifications to the new Barron River Bridge being built at Kuranda to incorporate microbat-friendly structures,” he said.
“This would be the first time here in Australia that a bridge has been built to include roosting chambers for microbats as a valuable environmental resource.”
Microbats are known for their insect-eating diet, including mosquitos.
Mr Moeser said the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas, was a successful example of bat roosting.
“Visitors from around the world come to Austin especially to view the microbat spectacle at the Austin Bridge, where millions of microbats can be seen close to sunset departing from under the bridge for their nightly feed,” he said.
“This is not only boosting the local economy with millions of tourist dollars but providing the local farming community with the added benefit of reduced insect pest destruction of their crops.”
Mr Moeser said US environmental scientist Merlin Tuttle - regarded worldwide as the ‘father’ of bat conservation - was instrumental in saving 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats roosting under the Austin bridge.
He will be a guest speaker at the 20th International Bat Research Conference in Cairns from 3-8 August.
In the meantime, the Barron River Bridge is continuing to undergo geotechnical investigations as a start to the design and planning for the replacement of the ageing structure.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads advised the investigative works, which began on 21 July, would continue until 17 September.
The works involve drilling in the road reserve on both sides of the bridge and within the riverbed to take soil samples.
Locals living near the bridge are advised they may hear noise and feel vibrations during the geotechnical works.
A barge will be used to access the Barron River, so boaties are being advised to take necessary precautions and maintain a safe distance if travelling on the river while the barge is in use.
There may also be minor disruptions to traffic on the Kennedy Highway while equipment is moved on site.
TMR has provided a timeline for the bridge replacement, with design development to begin early next year, construction to start in 2028 with a view to completing the project and opening the new bridge in 2031 after which the old bridge would be removed.
