General news covering Russell Island, Macleay Island, Lamb Island, Karragarra Island

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Microbats on Russell

Microbat on Russell Island

Southern Moreton Bay Islands have been lucky enough to get a visit from Julie Broken-Brow, who is carrying out a research on the tiny microbats living in the islands' wetlands and mangroves.

This bat is known as Little Forest Bat or Vespadelus vulturnus

These microbats are found from Adelaide, SA to South East Queensland covering most of Victoria and more than half of New South Wales excluding some drier, hotter inland areas.

They are so different from the larger, more commonly known fruit bats. Apart from being very small and very cute, these bats live on insects and other small invertebrates.  The little forest bats roost in the hollows of dead trees or of dead branches of live trees. The entrances are very small, just large enough for the bats. The bats are found  in colony sizes, as many as 120 individuals. They are also known to be sexually segregated and at times can be found roosting in buildings.

The microbat is one of Australia's smallest bats, with the forearm length between 26.2-32.8 mm. The fur colouring can vary from brown to pale grey with a lighter underbelly. The hairs are bicoloured, darker at the base and vary from creamy white to brown or grey for the top one-third. The ears and wings are pale, whilst the tragus is usually white or pale grey. The skin on the forearm is paler than the wing membrane. The penis is pendulous and the end is distinctly round and bulbous.

These microbats can vary considerably in size. The northern bats being smaller than the southern ones.

For more information see Julie's article on Russell Island wetlands website.

In Watermouse Wetlands on Russell Island, Southern Moreton Bay, catching Microbats

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2012 Redland City Council Elections

Two persons have thrown their respective hats in the ring as candidates for the upcoming RCC election to be held on the 31st March 2012. These prospective councillors for division 5 (Southern Moreton Bay islands and Redland Bay) are:

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Michael Verry

recently retired from the Queensland Police Force. He spent the last three and a half years as the first police officer on Russell Island. He was very popular as a community police officer, attracting many people to his farewell function in October. Michael and his wife Wendy continue to live on Russell Island and be part of the community.

To quote Michael's website, http://www.voteverry.info :

"I am committed to -

• Keeping rates affordable
• Streamlining Council services and permits system
• implementing minimal regulation – self regulation where possible
• Job creation within Division 5
• Alterrnative transport options to the current Weinam Creek hub
• Improved affordable transport for all residents
• Infrastructure partnerships with State/Federal Governments
• Lifestyle, facilities – e.g. parks, walkways, recreational and youth facilities to be available for use by all."

Michael has shown a very strong committment to his community and has indicated that he will be working for you, the ratepayers.

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Mark Edwards

is an active community advocate for improving and changing council's attitude and approach to services for the Redland City ratepayers. Mark is a businessman with banking background, who has stressed the appalling financial management of  the council.

In his latest flyer some of his main points are:

"Stop the rot ! Remove this failed council !

• Record rate increases with little benefit
• Massive debt increase
• More high paid bureaucrats with bloated salaries
• Record legal expenses "

When talking to Mark, he expresses a broad understanding of how the current council is wasting the growing funds from your rates.