Koala hit by car after trees cleared for Clontarf pedestrian crossing

Community members have been left in tears by the death of a koala north of Brisbane, after trees were cleared for a controversial $19 million pedestrian overpass.

A koala has died after multiple trees were removed at the construction site of a controversial pedestrian overpass in Clontarf.

The $19 million project will link Clontarf Beach State High School and the government-owned fields across the road.

The 8-year-old koala named Andrea was believed to have been struck by a car last week.

This has led to further community outrage, with residents already on edge after trees were cut down to make way for construction.

A Transport and Main Roads (TMR) spokesperson said fencing designed to protect the local koala habitat had been put in place, however it was not outlined in the original plans.

Eight-year-old koala Andrea is believed to have been struck by a car last week. Picture: Vikki Siliato

Moreton Bay Koala Rescue secretary Vikki Siliato attended the site and removed the remains of the koala from the road.

“I just burst into tears. That’s the first koala hit by a car that I have not been able to cope with,” Mrs Siliato said.

“At first I wasn’t sure if it was a koala or a possum.

“It was gruesome … if I hadn’t seen the green tag in her ear, I would not really have known that it was a koala.”

Founding member of Stop Clontarf Overpass Action Group (SCOAG) Sue Johnson said the strike was “needless”.

“I felt devastated, it’s the worst thing that could happen really,” Mrs Johnson said.

“Koalas are exposed to danger but they do have some sense, but by cutting the trees down we’ve signed their death warrant.”

Andrea’s ear tag, which was found by her body on the road. Picture: Vikki Siliato

Sue and her husband Phillip have been living at the same property near the site for 43 years and have protested against the development since March.

Their efforts include peaceful protests and placing signs outside of the construction site, as well as organising and attending numerous community meetings with TMR, politicians, and members of the public.

Mrs Johnson said the overpass was unnecessary.

“Frankly, $19 million seems like an absorbent amount of money for infrastructure that isn’t going to solve issues at the intersection,” she said.

“It will be available for the public, but in our opinion it will make it harder and longer for the public, therefore it won’t be used.

“This particular overpass is being constructed solely for the school to move classes across to a sports field that hasn’t been used in the past, or is being used once a year.”

The project was requested by the school in 2020 due to safety concerns from students and staff.

Trees have been cleared for the $19 million pedestrian overpass, which will connect Clontarf Beach State High School and the government-owned fields across the road.

The Morrison government provided 80 per cent of the funding through the Federal Road Safety Program to the state government, while the remaining 20 per cent was funded by the Palaszczuk government.

Petrie MP Luke Howarth has said he opposed the development from the start.

“I told the state member that I don’t support it, I told TMR that I don’t support it and that another project was needed,” he said.

Mr Howarth labelled Yvette D’Ath’s handling of keeping some Eucalyptus trees in place, something she allegedly told Mr Howarth would happen a “complete failure.”

Yvette D’Ath said the project is important for the safety of students.

“It’s time for Luke Howarth to stop playing politics and sewing division in the community.

“What’s needed more than ever is for everyone to come together and support this project that the school and road safety experts agree is essential for the safety of our local students,” Ms D’Ath said.

As a response to the koala strike, TMR has sent a fauna spotter to mitigate further risk, according to a spokesperson.