Koala warning for Tweed motorists
24 August 2020
Call for vehicles to slow down in habitat zones after koalas killed
Koalas are on the move on the Tweed Coast, prompting an urgent reminder by Tweed Shire Council for motorists to be vigilant and slow down.
The call comes as two koalas have died as a result of car strikes in the Tweed, one on the M1 at Chinderah and one on Clothiers Creek Road. A third koala was also injured last week on Clothiers Creek Road.
The koala breeding season has seen them extremely active and the current bushfires may increase the chance that they are on the move, making the endangered animals vulnerable, especially on the roads.
Council has increased signage in the area warning drivers to slow down and if anyone encounters an injured koala, to contact Friends of the Koala on their 24-hour hotline by calling 02 6622 1233.
Mayor of Tweed Katie Milne urged motorists to be aware of koalas when travelling through habitat zones in the Tweed and called on the community and all levels of government to do more.
“Koalas are extremely vulnerable to all sorts of threats. We need to be particularly mindful during the breeding season and at times of bushfire threat,” Cr Milne said.
“We can all play a part. Motorists need to drive below the speed limit through important coastal habitat areas such as Clothiers Creek Road, Pottsville, Round Mountain and Chinderah.
”We must all step up if we are going to save this iconic species. Residents in coastal koala areas can get Council assistance to plant vital koala food trees, and we ask people in these areas to please tie up your dogs and be extremely careful that landholder burn offs don’t get out of control.
“Council has been advocating for assistance from other levels of government to purchase vital koala areas, and while we have had some good success, we definitely need more land to be set aside,” she said.
Scott Hetherington, Senior Program Leader - Biodiversity, said motorists are simply driving too fast and needed to be aware of koalas crossing the roads.
“Keeping to the speed limit will cost you an additional 30 seconds on Clothiers Creek Road,” Mr Hetherington said.
“The message is simple, slow down in koala zones.”
Areas of concern for Council include Cudgen Nature Reserve, Koala Beach bushland estate, Pottsville Environmental Park and Pottsville Wetland.
If you encounter any sick, injured or orphaned koalas, contact the Friends of Koala 24-hour hotline on 02 6622 1233. For more information on koalas, visit www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Koalas
Downloads
Photo 1(JPG, 297KB)
Caption: The fixed koala zone sign on Clothiers Creek Road features the emergency contact number for Friends of the Koala should anyone come across an injured koala.
Photo 2(JPG, 237KB)
Caption: Warning signs have been placed on Clothiers Creek Road on the Tweed Coast advising motorists to be aware of koalas crossing.