Slow down to save koalas

By Yvonne Gardiner

THE HEART-WRENCHING problem of speedsters killing and injuring koalas on Clothiers Creek Road, west of Bogangar, has been talked about and ignored for more than a decade.

Within three months, Tweed Shire Council officers will present a report on traffic speed reduction measures at this hotspot, including costs of an “average traffic speed check device” to possibly be installed at each end of the koala crossing area.

Deputy Mayor Meredith Dennis, who asked for the report, says she feels as helpless when speaking about the plight of the koala as many other concerned residents.

“After the death of three of them in the last couple of weeks, particularly the healthy mother and little baby, we are all just so distressed,” Cr Dennis said.

“We all want to do something but don’t know what we can do. To say it’s pretty simple — stop cutting down their homes, plant more koala trees, and stop running over them on the roads — doesn’t really help this story.

“Our koalas on the Clothiers Creek Road koala corridor are being killed because of speed.

“The average traffic speed check device I suggested was something that I don’t know if it had been thought of in this area and can be installed at the start of the bush area and at the end of the bush area.

“What we need to do is slow traffic down, I have been told this is being investigated but with no time frame.

“Anyone who lives in Cabarita is blinded by the number of speed limits and warning signs when you enter Cabarita from Clothiers Creek Road.

“It’s ridiculous. Traffic speeds through the koala corridor then slows down in the built-up areas.

“I’m not averse to protecting human life, but humans know to get out of the way of cars, koalas don’t. If the traffic was slowed the whole way from the koala corridor, three kilometres right through to Cabarita, it would be safe for koalas and the community.

“This would be the best option for everyone. It would add an average of less than two minutes to a trip and might save a life.

“Hopefully these speed check systems would at least notify drivers that their speed has been checked and slow down.”

Several options for keeping koalas safe on Clothiers Creek Road have been ruled out.

Fixed speed cameras require power, and there is none in the vicinity.

Too many trees block the light for solar-powered cameras.

Koala crossing ladders would need 3km of fencing both sides. If there was a fire, all animals would be trapped and not all animals may be able to use these ladders.

Tunnels under the road would fill with water and also require fencing to guide animals to them.

Too much bush would need to be cleared to build chicanes.

A further proposal being looked at is speed humps every 100 metres.

“I don’t accept any of the excuses used with the delay of addressing this issue; however, I do know dedicated council staff who love our wildlife have been investigating this for years and continuously come up against delays and restrictions,” Cr Dennis said.

“The traffic on Clothiers Creek Road has increased dramatically because many motorists south of Casuarina, trying to avoid the roadworks at Kingscliff, travel through the koala corridor to access the highway.

“With major developments happening at Kings Forest, the traffic is just going to get worse, and we will be expected to accept more koala deaths.”

Friends of the Koala (FoK), whose volunteers often have the difficult job of picking dead and injured koalas off Clothiers Creek Road, support the motion by Cr Dennis, as did the council’s Tweed Coast Koala Management Committee.

FoK vice-president and Tweed area co-ordinator, Rhonda James, said FoK supported any measures that would reduce the speed of the traffic and increase driver awareness of koala presence along Clothiers Creek Road and other hotspots in Tweed, such as Terranora Road.

“Measures include reduction in speed limit, in-situ speed cameras, speed humps and additional signage,” Ms James said.

“Drivers need to be aware of the presence of koalas along this stretch of road and drive slowly, as koalas can cross any time, day or night.

“Clothiers Creek Road is a hotspot for vehicle strike resulting in koala injuries and deaths. This busy road bisects high-quality koala habitat in Cudgen Nature Reserve with koalas crossing anywhere along the 3km stretch between Tanglewood and the entrance to Bogangar village.

“This makes it difficult to identify a particular location where koalas cross the road. FoK figures show regular koala deaths and injury annually. There are also numerous sightings of koalas along the 3km stretch.”

Ms James says the Tweed Coast koala population needs help to ensure it survives into the future.

“Studies undertaken of the Tweed Coast koala population on an annual basis have shown that the population remains stable, which is likely due to increased koala habitat planting and restoration of existing habitat from Pottsville Wetland through to Cudgen Nature Reserve,” she said.

“To ensure that the population trend increases, it is imperative that threats of vehicle strike, dog attack, disease and habitat removal are addressed and reduced.”

To report a sick or injured koala, call Friends of the Koala rescue hotline on (02) 6622 1233. Volunteers can also help at the care centre in Lismore or join the local Landcare group to increase and improve koala habitat.

What do you think should be done about protecting koalas along Clothiers Creek Road? Drop us a line please via email to: editor@theweekly.net.au