New Road Signs Installed to Enhance Safety for Drivers and Wildlife on Clothiers Creek Road

In a bid to improve road safety and protect wildlife, new signs have been installed along the koala zone corridor of Clothiers Creek Road.

These measures are part of a broader initiative aimed at encouraging motorists to slow down and drive cautiously through this critical area.

The signs, featuring a smiling koala face, have been placed at both ends of the koala zone, between North Hill Court and Sliprails Road. Their purpose is to alert drivers to reduce their speed and be mindful of the endangered koala population that frequently crosses this section of the road.

Clothiers Creek Road serves as a vital connector between the Pacifc Highway and the Tweed Coast, with over

3,270 vehicles using this winding route daily. The road cuts through the Cudgen Nature Reserve, an essential habitat and crossing zone for the endangered Tweed Coast koalas, whose population is under signifcant threat.

Thanks to a $70,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Local Small Commitments Allocation Program (LSCA), two solarpowered signs have been installed. These signs remind motorists to slow from 80 km/h to 70 km/h as they approach the koala zone. The signs monitor vehicle speeds, displaying a green smiling koala when drivers comply with the limit, while red text prompts speeding drivers to reduce their speed.

An additional four signs have been purchased for installation in other areas across the Shire. Additional Road

Safety Measures on Clothiers Creek Road

Along with the new signage, several other initiatives are being implemented to enhance safety on Clothiers Creek Road:

1. Speed Limit Review:

Following a request from Tweed Shire Council, Transport for NSW has completed a comprehensive review of the 70 km/h speed limit along 3.1 km of Clothiers Creek Road, from North Hill Court in Tanglewood to Rosewood Avenue in Bogangar. The review, conducted in line with the NSW Speed Zoning Standard 2023, took into account factors such as crash history, road function, traffc data, and the road environment. It concluded that the current 70 km/h speed limit is appropriate.

2. Traffc and Environmental: Assessments

The Council is collaborating with the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to seek approvals for road and environmental protection works in coastal wetland areas. Additionally, a traffc engineering consultant has been engaged to assess proposed design options and their impact on traffc patterns and behaviour.

3. Feasibility Studies and Surveys: Tweed Shire Council is also exploring the feasibility of installing solarpowered lighting for traffc-calming chicanes and will commission further surveys to assess the potential impacts of these design choices.

Offcial Statements

Deputy Mayor of Tweed Shire, Meredith Dennis OAM, expressed her gratitude to the NSW Government for supporting this critical road safety initiative.

“Clothiers Creek Road has a troubling record of accidents, and we extend our sympathy to the families affected by these tragic incidents. The road also poses a signifcant threat to our endangered koala population, and we’re urging all motorists to adhere to speed limits, particularly in the koala zone. Slowing down not only protects wildlife but also reduces the risk of accidents,” Cr Dennis said.

NSW Government North Coast spokesperson, Emily Suvaal MLC, welcomed the initiative, stating, “We commend Tweed Shire Council for their proactive efforts in enhancing road safety and protecting native wildlife. Projects like these are crucial as we approach the busy holiday season, and the Minns

Government remains committed to improving road safety across NSW.” Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot MP, also praised the program, saying, “This funding from the NSW Labor Government will help safeguard both motorists and our precious koalas.

The new signs along Clothiers Creek Road serve as a vital reminder for drivers to reduce speed and exercise caution.”

Learn More For more information about road safety, local road network projects, and how Tweed Shire Council prioritizes road maintenance, visit tweed. nsw.gov.au/roads.

To learn about Council’s koala conservation programs, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/ koalas.