Council protects koalas on the move

Brisbane City Council is continuing to protect native wildlife by building on a successful program that alerts drivers to the presence of koala hotspots and reminds them to take extra caution and reduce their speed.

Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said variable message signs had been incredibly effective in reducing koala fatalities in known hotspots and, to continue the successful conservation efforts, this year’s project would run twice as long and would see the signage installed in two additional locations.

“We want Brisbane to be Australia’s koala capital, and we need to make sure these beloved animals are protected,” she said.

“It is currently breeding season which means our local koalas are more active as they look for mates and new territory, unfortunately, this means they are also more likely to cross our roads, so it is important we take further steps to protect them.

“Using temporary signage is a strategy that increases driver awareness and it can be particularly effective for drivers that are used to the existing signs in their area.

“Following the success of the past year’s trial, which saw no vehicle strikes of koalas reported while the signage was in place, we have extended the duration of the program and installed two additional koala hotspots.”

Cr Adams said the signs formed part of Brisbane’s wildlife movement solutions infrastructure, which was just one of the methods Brisbane City Council use to protect local animals.

“We have a wide range of wildlife movement solutions which help animals move safely across our roads and improve driver safety, including overpasses, glider poles and wildlife exclusion fencing,” she said.

“Every vehicle strike is a tragedy, especially for our precious koalas that are already so vulnerable, so I encourage all drivers to take notice of these signs and reduce their speed.

“We are not the only ones who call Brisbane home and we are committed to keeping Brisbane clean and green, which means protecting our native wildlife, now and into the future.”

Temporary variable message signs will be installed at Boundary Road in Camp Hill, Creek Road in Mount Gravatt East, Creek Road in Carindale, Winstanley Road in Carindale, Cavendish Road in Mount Gravatt East, Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road in Chandler, Tilley Road in Chandler, Beckett Road in McDowall and Bridgeman Downs, and Wyncroft Street and Pine Mountain Road in Mount Gravatt East.

For more information, visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call Council on (07) 3403 8888.