New Koala Zones to help our furry friends
Published on 25 November 2024
Byron Shire Council has recently created new Koala Zones on Broken Head Road, Coolamon Scenic Drive, and Coorabell Road (near Federal), with the installation of new vehicle activated signs and Koala Zone paint on the roads in these locations.
Koala Zones are stretches of road where drivers need to be extra vigilant in looking out for koalas and other native animals. These are areas that we know are regularly used by koalas, and where, sadly, koalas have been killed by cars. The signs and pavement painting are intended to encourage drivers to slow down and look out for wildlife.
Byron Shire Council Biodiversity Team Leader, Liz Caddick, said that these locations were selected with local wildlife carers from Bangalow Koalas and Friends of the Koala.
“We selected these sites, as we are seeing many Koalas near these locations. We hope that the new signs and paint will get people to look more closely for Koalas and drive within the speed limit,” Ms Caddick said.
The signs are not speed cameras, but they are designed to warn drivers when they’re approaching the speed limit. If you are going under 70 km/hour you will see a green happy face, people driving over the speed limit will notice a red sad face, and people driving close to the 80km/hour speed limit will be shown their speed, as a reminder to keep within the speed limit.
The signs were funded by a grant from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy and Environment, under the NSW Koala Strategy. Koala road strikes and driver speed will be monitored at the sites over the next four years to help us to understand the impacts of vehicle-activated signs on driver speeds and koalas.
“Wildlife can come out on our roads at any time, but from June to December, and particularly at dusk and dawn is when we should be on the lookout for our furry friends, as this is when they are more active,” Ms Caddick said.
Bangalow Koalas President Linda Sparrow, said that tragically, five Koalas had been hit on Broken Head Road this year, and many more in other Koala hot spots across the shire.
“It’s so sad to see Koalas being hit in our Shire. One of these losses was the very well-known male Koala “Moji” at the start of the breeding season in August. In late October we saw another male “Braveheart” killed near Bangalow,” Ms Sparrow said.
“We thank Council for creating these new Koala Zones and hope everyone will slow down on our roads, even in built up areas, as Koalas often aren’t fast enough to get out of the way of cars,” Ms Sparrow said.
To report a sick or injured Koala, people can call Friends of the Koala, on 6622 1233. The hotline operates 24 hours a day.
These new Koala Zones join existing zones on Mafeking Road and Bangalow Road in the Byron Shire.