New research makes roads safer for koalas
Published Monday, 16 February, 2009 at 02:16 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Koalas will be safer around roads and roadworks thanks to a Queensland Government research initiative that is making roadside barriers more wildlife friendly.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the research had uncovered methods that would allow koalas trapped between roadside barriers on busy roads or roadworks to climb out to safety.
He said manufacturers of roadside barriers had also been asked to make design changes that would allow koalas to scale the sides of the barriers and return to the bush.
“The solutions developed as a result of this research initiative have the potential to save the lives of many koalas each year on Queensland roads,” Mr Pitt said.
“Main Roads, in consultation with the Australian Wildlife Hospital and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has run a series of trials involving koalas crossing the safety barriers typically used in road construction work.
"These barriers are essential to protect roadworkers, motorists and pedestrians during works but, unfortunately, also pose a significant risk to koalas.
"The trial found identified that koalas which go around the barriers to cross the road can become trapped if they are unable to climb the barriers on the other side.
“Research from the University of Queensland shows that 26 per cent of koala deaths each year in south-east Queensland’s Koala Coast area can be contributed to high-speed road environments.
“While roadwork sites are thought to account for only a small percentage of this annual mortality rate, the State Government is committed to reducing this overall figure.
“Improving facilities around roadworks is just one way we can help prevent koalas dying on our roads.”
The trial involved testing two concrete and plastic barriers to determine the ability of mature and juvenile koalas to climb over the barriers, and also examined what materials would make climbing easier.
Key findings of the trial included:
• Most adult koalas showed an ability to climb over plastic barriers using the grooves in the structure.
• Juveniles were typically unable to climb the structures because they were unable to get a grip on the top of the structure.
• In some instances, smaller animals (juvenile and sub-adults) used the fork-lift holes in the bottom of plastic barriers to climb through the barrier.
• Installing mesh to barriers, particularly on permanent concrete barriers, improved a koala's ability to climb over the barriers.
Of these findings, the main recommendations included:
• incorporating the mesh material on barriers in locations where koalas were likely to attempt to cross would be beneficial. This material should not affect road user safety or reduce the structural integrity of the barrier.
• discussing suitable design solutions with various manufactures to try to get a temporary barrier safety design that is more fauna friendly.
“This research can help both Main Roads and safety barrier manufacturers design future barriers that are more koala friendly,” Mr Pitt said.
“Main Roads is committed to undertaking trials and pilot programs to improve environmental outcomes on project sites and is now discussing the results of this trial and the need to undertake design modifications with barrier manufacturers.
"The koala is our state's faunal emblem and an international icon, and the State Government is committed to looking at new ways to protect them."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the research had uncovered methods that would allow koalas trapped between roadside barriers on busy roads or roadworks to climb out to safety.
He said manufacturers of roadside barriers had also been asked to make design changes that would allow koalas to scale the sides of the barriers and return to the bush.
“The solutions developed as a result of this research initiative have the potential to save the lives of many koalas each year on Queensland roads,” Mr Pitt said.
“Main Roads, in consultation with the Australian Wildlife Hospital and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has run a series of trials involving koalas crossing the safety barriers typically used in road construction work.
"These barriers are essential to protect roadworkers, motorists and pedestrians during works but, unfortunately, also pose a significant risk to koalas.
"The trial found identified that koalas which go around the barriers to cross the road can become trapped if they are unable to climb the barriers on the other side.
“Research from the University of Queensland shows that 26 per cent of koala deaths each year in south-east Queensland’s Koala Coast area can be contributed to high-speed road environments.
“While roadwork sites are thought to account for only a small percentage of this annual mortality rate, the State Government is committed to reducing this overall figure.
“Improving facilities around roadworks is just one way we can help prevent koalas dying on our roads.”
The trial involved testing two concrete and plastic barriers to determine the ability of mature and juvenile koalas to climb over the barriers, and also examined what materials would make climbing easier.
Key findings of the trial included:
• Most adult koalas showed an ability to climb over plastic barriers using the grooves in the structure.
• Juveniles were typically unable to climb the structures because they were unable to get a grip on the top of the structure.
• In some instances, smaller animals (juvenile and sub-adults) used the fork-lift holes in the bottom of plastic barriers to climb through the barrier.
• Installing mesh to barriers, particularly on permanent concrete barriers, improved a koala's ability to climb over the barriers.
Of these findings, the main recommendations included:
• incorporating the mesh material on barriers in locations where koalas were likely to attempt to cross would be beneficial. This material should not affect road user safety or reduce the structural integrity of the barrier.
• discussing suitable design solutions with various manufactures to try to get a temporary barrier safety design that is more fauna friendly.
“This research can help both Main Roads and safety barrier manufacturers design future barriers that are more koala friendly,” Mr Pitt said.
“Main Roads is committed to undertaking trials and pilot programs to improve environmental outcomes on project sites and is now discussing the results of this trial and the need to undertake design modifications with barrier manufacturers.
"The koala is our state's faunal emblem and an international icon, and the State Government is committed to looking at new ways to protect them."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819