First ‘jump out’ ramp aims to protect kangaroos and drivers
Brisbane City Council has installed its first ‘jump out’ ramp to help kangaroo-proof a busy main road.
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BRISBANE City Council has installed its first ‘jump out’ ramp to help kangaroo-proof a busy main road.
The $37,000 ramp-like feature will be installed on Bracken Ridge Rd near where it meets the Gateway Motorway in Bracken Ridge.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the jump out would help protect both animals and drivers.
“The jump out is a break in the fencing that acts as an escape route for animals that get stuck on the road, which is known for its high number of vehicle incidents involving native Eastern Grey Kangaroos,” Cr Schrinner said.
“It’s shaped like a ramp with a drop off at the end that prevents agile roos and wallabies from using it in the reverse direction.”
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Members of the Brighton Kangaroos 4017 Facebook group are happy something is being done to protect kangaroos that live in the Deagon Wetlands that border the Deagon Deviation and Bracken Ridge Rd.
Group administrator Jacky Overington said, “We are pleased to see council trying new designs to protect our macropods from the risks associated with traffic”.
“Ultimately we would like to see wildlife overpasses incorporated into all new road works but until that occurs we are happy to see council trying to protect the wild kangaroos that live in the suburbs of Brighton, Sandgate and Deagon.”
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Cr Schrinner said Council has partnered with Griffith University to monitor the jump out for six months.
“Jump outs have been used in other locations across Australia, but there have been few studies investigating their effectiveness, especially within urban areas,” he said.
“To gain a better understanding of how they’re used, we’re funding Griffith University to use motion detection cameras to determine whether it is being used by wildlife and to ensure it is effective in helping them to get off the road.
“New fencing is being built alongside the jump out to further help keep animals off the road and safe in their habitat.”
Cr Schrinner said Council would continue to monitor vehicle strike data and reports from the local community to identify whether the jump out was effectively reducing the number of kangaroos hit by vehicles at this location.
“If the trial proves successful, we’ll be looking to install additional jump outs in other priority areas for wildlife across the city,” he said.
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