Road plans to help save wildlife

New safety measures will be introduced this year on Eatons Crossing Rd and Gympie Rd to help cut “road-related impacts” on native wildlife, including koalas.

Moreton Bay Regional Council will soon award a contract to build a fauna rope bridge, koala fencing and underpass on Gympie Road at Four Mile Creek, Lawnton.

Construction is set to start in April 2023 and anticipated to take two months, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Four 'Koala Zone' LED signs will be set-up at locations on Eatons Crossing Rd between Eatons Hill and Yugar in February, weather and scheduling permitting.

The moves are part of the State Government's $4.5 million investment to support Moreton Bay Regional Council's Green Infrastructure Network Delivery Program.

State Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said: "The new LED signs will replace the variable message signs on Eatons Crossing Rd and will complement the seven existing koala warning signs and two wildlife pavement markings."

“We’re always happy to partner with the Moreton Bay Regional Council, and I’m sure this funding will go a long way towards protecting local species.”

Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery said this type of investment was vital to sustain native wildlife as South East Queensland’s population grew.

“The state’s $4.5 million commitment to supporting green infrastructure over the next 10 years is critically important because Moreton Bay’s population will grow over the decade,” Mr Flannery said.

“Of course, there will be areas where roads and homes intersect with wildlife, which is why we’re so pleased for this type of investment from the State Government."

As the program progresses, fauna infrastructure will be installed on other priority state-controlled roads in the Moreton Bay region.