Students getting stuck in to help Tweed koalas

17 November 2016

Local students join forces with Council and Team Koala

Students from Mt St Patrick Primary in Murwillumbah will launch a series of bumper stickers at a special ‘koala focussed’ assembly this Friday, aimed at making sure drivers take care in Tweed koala zones.

It’s a timely initiative that comes in the wake of a recent bushfire at Bogangar that destroyed more than 100 hectares of critical koala habitat.

The school’s Student Representative Council initiated the program after learning of the plight of the endangered Tweed Coast koalas through a workshop with Team Koala and Council.

In the workshop, the students developed a communication strategy focussing on reducing the number of koalas killed on local roads.

The students have then taken on implementation of the strategy which Council’s Senior Program Leader, Biodiversity, Scott Hetherington said includes presentations throughout the school, composing a ‘koala road’ song and holding a bumper sticker design competition.

“The students have contributed fantastic ideas, design skills and leadership and are a very welcome addition to our team working to save the Tweed Coast koalas,” he said.

“Some of the great messages the students have developed have recently been added to the variable message signs on Clothiers Creek Road.

“The bumper stickers will be a great help in making sure that drivers take care in koala zones, especially as we have identified through traffic monitoring that the peak travel through the zones is associated with traveling to work and school.”

Team Koala received a community assistance grant to deliver the workshops, Mt St Patrick Primary is the second school to be involved this year.

“It’s fantastic to see so many children get involved in such an important issue in our community - the enthusiasm shown by the children has been second to none,” Team Koala President, Jenny Hayes said.

“With the recent bushfires, the pressure to save our last remaining koalas has never been so great. Well done to this amazing school for putting in such a determined effort.”

The assembly will be held at 9.00am in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Murwillumbah Street, Murwillumbah.