Help keep wildlife safe on Bribie

Kangaroos and wallabies could soon be kept safer on Bribie Island – and Moreton Bay Regional Council wants the community to help.

Mayor Peter Flannery says collisions involving vehicle and macropods have doubled on the island in recent years.

He wants residents to share their local knowledge to help decide where extra signs should be installed alerting motorists to watch out for wallabies and kangaroos.

Extra infrastructure

“Council is looking to install additional green infrastructure at locations where we continue to see high wildlife-vehicle collisions,” Mayor Flannery says.

“Over the past 10 years, Council has received more than 300 community requests for the removal of deceased animals located on, or adjacent to, roads on Bribie Island.

“Sadly, more than two thirds of these collisions are relating to kangaroos and wallabies, with figures doubling from 24 collisions in 2018 to 54 collisions in 2019.”

Mayor Flannery is urging people who have encountered a kangaroo or wallaby while driving on Bribie Island to add to Council’s understanding of their movements and behaviour.

“But there is only so much we can do; we need drivers to slow down around wildlife areas and stay alert, especially as we see more kangaroos moving at dawn and dusk over winter.”

Community knowledge key

Councillor Brooke Savige (Div 1) says information from the community will help identify priority locations where infrastructure is needed.

“There is a range of green infrastructure that will be considered, from warning signs and road stencils to increased driver awareness, to fences, underpasses and rope bridges to discourage animals from crossing the road,” Cr Savige says.

“We would love the community’s help in identifying the best locations to install these safety measures, especially around well-known collision hotspots like White Patch Esplanade, Sunderland Dve and First Ave.

“In fact, we are currently constructing two fauna crossings to create a safer passage for smaller wildlife over First Ave and installing 400m of exclusion fencing, however it’s clear that more needs to be done.

How you can help

Have your say online here, or drop into Bribie Island Shopping Centre on June 17 from 2-5pm to speak with Council officers.

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