A notorious stretch of road on the southern Gold Coast will undergo some big safety changes in a bid to protect koalas in the area.
There will be a dedicated ‘Koala Zone’ on Tallebudgera Connection Road as part of a new trial.
Transport and Main Roads will install new signs, as well as introduce speed limit reductions of 50km/h along the 2.7km stretch between Valley Drive and Currumbin Creek Road.
The area has a horrible track record of fatal wildlife strikes, particularly involving koalas.
Currumbin Wildlife Hospital Research Supervisor Lewis Mckillop says it’s happening far too often.
“We have had too many koalas come into our care after being struck on Tallebudgera Connection Road,” Mr Mckillop says.
“Our hospital is currently caring for two koalas that were struck in this location over the past fortnight,
“Sadly, koalas are endangered and our populations across the coast are in decline, and we need to do everything we can to ensure they survive.
“This is a common sense approach and I’m really hopeful this trial will help, and I hope we see it become a regular measure every breeding season.”
The koala zone trial will begin within the next couple of weeks and will continue until January, to cover the breeding season.
The speed limit reduction will be in place between 6pm and 6am, when the animals are most active.
New warning signs and vehicle activated flashing LED boards will be installed along the entire length of Tallebudgera Connection Road to remind drivers to slow down
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey says they will review the results of the trial early next year.
“Our koalas are a national icon, and we need to do everything in our power to protect them,” Minister Bailey says.
“This trial is a massive credit to the local residents and passionate wildlife services they have been instrumental in helping identify and deliver these improvements,
“Every driver has a responsibility to help protect and conserve our koala populations, slow down during those active times and take extra care when travelling through habitat areas.”
