We have received information this week from the Department of Transport and Main Roads relating to enquiries around the possible introduction of Koala Warning Signs on some roads in the Noosa electorate. The response from the Department was as follows:
• The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) advises that Weyba Road and Eenie Creek Road are not state-controlled roads. These roads fall under the jurisdiction of Noosa Council (council) and requests for signage in this regard should be directed to council
• McKinnon Drive is a state-controlled road, with the state-controlled name of Boreen Point-Tewantin Road
• TMR will undertake investigations into koala activity and road kill on McKinnon Drive, to consider if signage or other mitigation strategies are warranted on this road
• These investigations will take approximately two to three months to complete, as data will be requested from several external sources including the Wildlife Hospital at Australia Zoo
• With reference to the koala sign example/photo in the enquiry, TMR advises that its Wide Bay Burnett District recently installed two specially-designed koala warning signs on Tin Can Bay Road after receiving feedback from a local koala group about ongoing roadkill on a section of the road
• This was a state initiative on the state-controlled road, and Gympie Regional Council had no involvement with the delivery of the flashing koala warning signs. A media statement for the signs was released on 26 April 2018 by the Honourable Leeanne Enoch while she was Acting Minister for Transport and Main Roads (Attachment 1)
• The solar-powered signs have wig-wag flashing lights, which will be activated by approaching traffic. The flashing lights will only be enabled during the koala breeding season each year to draw greater attention to the signs in this period, as this is the main reason for koalas crossing the road. The proposed timeframe for the flashing lights to be activated is from 1 August 2018 to 31 January 2019. This timeframe was extended since the release of the media statement, following further consultation with the local koala group
• Outside of this timeframe, the koala symbol warns drivers of the potential presence of koalas. The signs also have a reflective yellow background to improve motorist visibility at dawn and dusk, when koalas are most active
• Following the first period of operation of the flashing lights, TMR will gauge if this is a successful treatment that should be considered for broader use
More updates from the Electorate office as to hand.