BAT CONSERVATION AT MOUNT ETNA
After a long and hard battle, on the 13 June 1989 Central Queensland Cement, for the first time working on a public holiday, blasted what was in the opinion of John Toop (J. Toop 1975-1980) now a zoologist with the QNPWS, the most important warm winter roost for Ghost Bats (Macroderma gigas) in the Mount Etna region, namely Speaking Tube Cave, into history.
The fight to save Mount Etna from mining has been beset with political decisions right from the beginning. In 1920, on account of the scenic and aesthetic values, two Recreation Reserves were granted. RS444 over Mount Etna and RS272 on part of Limestone Ridge. As that was the highest form of protection for any landform, at the time, the general thought was that the area was protected from quarrying.
The controversy started when Central Queensland Cement (CQC) commenced quarrying in 1966. At that time the Ghost Bat population numbered 450 (McKean and Price, 1967). The National Party Government of the time granted mining leases on Mount Etna to stop a southern cement company from getting a foothold in Queensland. In 1974 two or three members of the Central Queensland Speleological Society (CQSS) organised regular tours to bat cleft, which is the ancestral maternity site for 80% of the known Australian population of the Little Bent Winged Bat (Miniopterus australis). When challenged in 1974 about the legality of the granting of the leases the Government rescinded the Recreation Reserve on Mount Etna and the land reverted back to Crown Land under Mining lease. The State Ombudsman was investigating complaints of the granting of the leases at the time and the ratification of the leases by the Government came one day before his decision. The Attorney General Department refused to grant a fiat, that is permission to proceed against the Government in Court, and stated that the conservationists had no case on as the area was on Crown Land. Up to the time that ML326 on Mount Etna was declared a Departmental and Official Purpose Reserve by the then Premier, Mr Ahern, on the 19th January 1988 no QNPWS Officers had ever been to Bat Cleft in their official capacity. The D and O Reserve was under the trusteeship of both the Department of Mines and the QNPWS, and the company retained full control of the area until gazettal.
Direct action was instigated when the company made a press release of the imminent destruction of Speaking Tube and Elephant Holes. The first total blockade of the quarry lasted until June l988 when the company was left in a very dangerous situation with drill holes filled but unable to detonated because of protesters standing on adjoining land within 5 metres of the blast area. A moratorium was negotiated with the company by the hierarchy of the conservationists, even though some of the people involved were not in favour of it. The agreement of the moratorium was that the company refrain from working within 50 metres of Speaking Tube Cave while the conservationists prepared a report on the conservation value of Mount Etna. This report was prepared by leading experts in their field and duly presented to the company.
The moratorium was broken when the company rejected the report and loaded Speaking Tube Cave with explosive, during the hours of darkness and without drilling holes, utilising existing solution holes. On the same day that the cave was blasted, 2 November 1988, the D and O Reserve was gazetted. This attempt to destroy the cave was made before a report by a scientist commissioned by the company was completed. This scientist made 5 inspections of Speaking Tube Cave. Ironically the company did not know where the main roosting aven of the Ghost Bat in Speaking Tube was until a QNPWS officer inadvertently showed them. Sufficient explosive was used in the detonation to shatter glass and shake tiles of the bathroom in a house at least half a kilometre away.
The blockade was immediately reinstated but not in time to save Elephant Hole Cave from damage on the 4th November. The company blew the entrance of this cave even though they knew that there were people within 10 metres five minutes before the blast. The Central Queensland Speleological Society instigated court proceedings against CQC for alleged breaches of the Fauna Conservation Act, and the Government refused to take any action. Court actions continued until moneys asked by the company for securities ran out and the injunction was lifted. As soon as the injunction was lifted the company proceeded to drill, fill with explosive and blast both Speaking Tube cave and Elephant Hole cave.
When the Labour Government took over, the D and O Reserve was changed to a National Park (Scientific Reserve) and gazettal occurred in July 1990. Mount Etna Caves NP is now under full control of QNPWS and they are in the process of preparing a management plan for it.
The Bat Cleft Tours were of immense value as they helped to increase public awareness of the plight of the bats. On every tour the importance of the six caves that are not included in the park was stressed, especially the Ghost Bat roosting caves; Joe's Rocky Cavern, the entrance of which is in the mining lease; Helms Deep; Speaking Tube and Elephant Hole.
At present the numbers of Ghost Bats in the area is not known. The last survey of Ghost Bats showed that the numbers have declined to around 150 animals (J. Toop, 1975-1980). John Toop, a QNPWS Officer is at present doing a tagging and recapture program of Ghost Bats at Johannsens Cave and has stated that it will be three years before the results of this program will be known. With two Ghost Bat roosts destroyed and the possible destruction of two others, Helms Deep and Joe's Rocky Cavern and the removal of the vegetation where Ghost Bats were frequently heard, we can only wonder what their confused status in this are will be.
The QNPWS are continuing with the Bat Cleft Tours. These are conducted as educational tours of a very high standard and with every care taken to look after the bats and predators. John Toop is currently monitoring the guano levels in Bat Cleft and whether there is increase or decrease of bats at Bat Cleft each year. Should a decrease be found in the future it may be very difficult to determine the cause. With a substantial track leading to Bat Cleft many people are concerned about its vulnerability. It is felt that the problem will be satisfactorily addressed in the management plan. It is also hoped that QNPWS will always control the Bat Cleft Tours and that no further structures will be built there, to maintain biological integrity. We feel that Bat Cleft Tours are a wonderful opportunity to break down further misconceptions about bats but its biological integrity should always be the first priority.
The National Park will be extended by a further 640 acres, which is a move that the Government should be congratulated on. A cave on this property has been used by a large numbers of Miniopterus bats in June for the past three years as an overwintering cave.
CONCLUSIONS
Direct action at Mount Etna failed to save bat roosts but gain valuable public awareness for the needs of the bats. Government awareness of the urgent need for legislation to protect habitat was increased. Negotiations are in progress for a buffer zone around important bat roosts in the Fanning River area. It is hoped that the appropriate distance will be agreed upon. Mount Etna, the quarrying thereof and the plight of the bats are known throughout Australia, Europe and the rest of the world. Tour buses and private vehicles are visiting at Johannsens Car Park to view the destruction on Mount Etna and inquiries are made at the commercial tour caves by visitors.
Fifteen years of Bat Cleft tours played a major role in gaining valuable public support and eventually getting Bat Cleft protected. Every tour stressed the need for the protection of all the caves but unfortunately was not comprehended and so time to educate the public ran out to save Speaking Tube and Elephant Hole Caves in the manner.