What is the estimated cost of the proposed relocation?
After a few false starts, the operations of the Melbourne relocation cost about $250,000. Our initial advice was that it would cost about half that – a small price for even one of our heritage trees. Given the delays and time spent on applications, that cost will be higher but the Trust is committed to saving the Royal Botanic Gardens collections and will provide whatever resources are required. A financial assessment of the damage the flying-foxes cause and the cost of the long-term repair of the Gardens would be many times than is spent on this relocation. It is near impossible to put a price on the irreplaceable heritage, scientific and aesthetic value of trees that have been lost and will be lost if nothing is done. Staff will be assisted by volunteers, and the provision of monitoring, research and management support for existing and/or new flying-fox camps are also included in the budget.
