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New signs encouraging drivers to slow down on Clothiers Creek Road have been installed as part of a suite of measures to better protect drivers and wildlife along the koala zone corridor.
The new signs, featuring a smiling koala face, have been installed at either end of the koala zone corridor between North Hill Court and Sliprails Road along Clothiers Creek Road, and are aimed at alerting motorists to reduce speed and drive with care.
The road is a busy connector between the Pacific Highway and the Tweed Coast, with more than 3,270 vehicles travelling along the winding stretch each day.
The thoroughfare – which cuts through Cudgen Nature Reserve – is also a vital crossing zone for the endangered Tweed Coast koala population, whose numbers are under significant threat.
The two new solar-powered signs have been installed thanks to a $70,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Local Small Commitments Allocation Program (LSCA) and remind motorists to reduce their speed limit from 80km/h to 70 km/h as they pass through the koala zone.
The signs monitor the speed of passing vehicles, displaying a green smiley face koala when drivers adhere to the speed limits. If drivers exceed the limit, red text will prompt them to slow down. An additional four smiley-face signs have been purchased for other areas of the Shire.
Additional actions undertaken to enhance safety on Clothiers Creek Road include:
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Review of speed limit
Upon Council’s request, Transport for NSW has completed a review of the 70 km/h speed zone along 3.1 km of Clothiers Creek Road, from North Hill Court in Tanglewood to Rosewood Avenue in Bogangar. The review examined all considerations under the NSW Speed Zoning Standard 2023, including crash history, road function, traffic and speed data, number of driveways/access points along this route, as well as the road environment. It was determined the current speed zone of 70 km/h remains appropriate.
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Traffic and environmental assessments
Council is consulting with the Federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water regarding approvals for road and environmental protection works in coastal wetland areas. A traffic engineering consultant has been engaged to prepare a traffic assessment that considers all proposed design options and their impacts on traffic behaviour and distribution.
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Feasibility studies and surveys
Council is exploring the viability of solar-powered lighting for chicanes. An additional survey will also be commissioned to gain a detailed understanding of the potential impacts of each design option.
Deputy Mayor of Tweed Shire Meredith Dennis OAM said:
“We thank the NSW Government for their support of this important road safety initiative. Clothiers Creek Road is a known black spot for road safety incidents and sadly every year we hear of too many accidents leading to critical injuries and worse along this stretch – our hearts go out to those families and friends affected by such trauma,” Cr Dennis said.
“It is also perilous for our endangered koala population who cross the road where it cuts through the Cudgen Nature Reserve. Just a few months ago a female with a joey on her back was spotted doing just that. Unfortunately, a number of koalas are hit and killed along this road each year, and we know fewer than 20% of koalas hit by cars survive the trauma.
“We urge all motorists to adhere to the current speed limits, particularly within the koala zone. Reducing speed not only increases your chances of spotting wildlife and other hazards on the road but also significantly lowers the risk of crashes. Every kilometre counts when it comes to safety.”
NSW Government North Coast spokesperson Emily Suvaal MLC said:
“I welcome this initiative and commend Tweed Shire Council for working to improve road safety in our community and protect our native wildlife,” Ms Suvaal.
“The Minns Government is committed to improving road safety right across NSW, and it is projects like these that work to improve driver awareness and safety, particularly as we head into the busy holiday period.”
Member for Richmond Justine Elliot MP said:
“This important funding from the NSW Labor Government will improve safety for motorists and our precious koalas,” Mrs Elliot said.
“These new signs have been installed at the koala zone corridor along Clothiers Creek Road to encourage motorists to reduce speed and drive with care.
I acknowledge all those in the community who have fought so hard for more safety signs, and I thank the NSW Minns Labor Government for delivering on their 2023 NSW State election commitment for extra road safety ‘smiley’ signs for the Tweed Shire.”
To learn more about how we build, upgrade and maintain a safe and connected local road network, including how we prioritise road maintenance projects, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/roads.
For more information on Council’s koala programs visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/koalas.
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