Revealed: LNP promise to build new koala bridge across Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh, speed limits reduced
A koala has been spotted trying to cross a busy Gold Coast road beside a sign urging motorists to slow down as most sped by anyway.
Gold Coast
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A koala was on Sunday morning spotted attempting to cross a road in Burleigh where speed limits have been dropped in a bid to protect the marsupials.
Unseen by passing motorists speeding by, the koala was filmed by worried onlookers crouched against fencing beside the Gold Coast Highway near the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
The koala was seen on a section of the road where the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) on Monday announced the speed limit had been dropped from 60km/h to 50km/h.
The new lower speed limit runs from near the intersection with Goodwin Terrace and ends north of the Tallebudgera Creek Bridge.
Signs have also been installed warning motorists of the presence of koalas in the area and urging them to slow down.
A witness who saw the koala on Sunday morning while out walking her dog said it was located right next to one of the new signs, which flash green if motorists are obeying the speed limit and red if they are over.
“Almost all the cars were getting the red sign. It was so sad,” they said.
The witness, who was unable to get to close because they were walking the dog and were afraid of scaring the koala, said it was on the road side of the fence, making it difficult to see how it would return to safety without crossing the road through traffic.
At time of writing, they were attempting to contact wildlife rescue workers for help.
OPPOSITION PROMISES TO BUILD KOALA BRIDGE
A koala bridge will be built over the Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh if the LNP wins election in October.
The party committed on Tuesday to building the wildlife crossing between Burleigh Ridge Park and Burleigh Heads National Park amid concern over the number of koalas being hit by vehicles.
LNP Candidate for Burleigh Hermann Vorster said the project was an “urgent priority” and criticised the Labor government’s record on koala protection, accusing it of allowing funds earmarked for a koala research facility at Dreamworld to instead be spent on a rollercoaster.
“Residents in Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach have a special connection to the natural environment and the koalas who call the area home,” Mr Vorster said.
“The Palaszczuk/Miles Government abandoned these koalas when it secretly diverted vital research funding to construct a theme park rollercoaster.
“Meanwhile, local koalas have risked injury and death crossing the busy Gold Coast Highway for food and shelter.
“Labor just can’t be trusted to follow through on any announcement to protect these iconic native animals.”
Mr Vorster said the $2.5 million bridge was part of a wider plan by the LNP to protect Queensland’s environment.
“Queenslanders need a fresh start, and this wildlife bridge is part of the LNP’s plan to protect our environment by investing in conservation, biosecurity and technology,” he said.
“Labor has failed to increase protected areas and has allowed recycling rates to go backwards on their watch.
“Queenslanders can vote for this wildlife crossing and a government that works for them, by voting LNP at this election.”
SPEED LIMIT DROPPED
The LNP announcement came a day after it was revealed speed limits had been dropped on a large stretch of the Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh where koalas are active.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) on Monday announced the limit had been dropped from 60km/h to 50km/h on a section of the road starting near the intersection with Goodwin Terrace and ending north of the Tallebudgera Creek Bridge.
The change, which has already taken effect, greatly extends and existing 50km/h zone in the area.
TMR will soon install new vehicle activated signs (VAS) along the stretch which can measure the speed of passing vehicles.
The signs will feature an image of a smiling green koala for motorists respecting the speed limit, while drivers exceeding the limit will be cautioned with red ‘slow down’ alerts.
TMR said the change came after a review triggered by community concerns about wildlife safety, which South Coast Regional Director Andrew Wheeler said was a priority for the department.
“It remains a priority for the department to implement treatments to mitigate koala-vehicle collision risk,” he said.
“We are committed to making our roads a safer place for all users, including our wildlife.”
The change comes at the start of September school holidays, with Superintendent Peter Miles from Gold Coast police appealing for motorists to exercise patience on roads.
“All I ask is for people to slow down and take their time,” he said.
“Getting from A to B should be your number one prerogative, not getting from A to a funeral home. Let’s just take our time.
“And for drivers with kids in the car going on school holidays, be the role model. You’ve got the next generation of drivers sitting in behind you so be the role model and just take your time.”
PLAN TO HIRE 150 NEW RANGERS
Speaking at Burleigh on Tuesday Shadow Environment Minister Sam O’Connor also revealed the LNP would hire 150 new national park rangers if elected.
“For too long under the current govt we have not seen our hard-working rangers get the support that they need to properly manage our national parks. There’s just under 800 rangers for the enormous protected estate that we have in Queensland,” Mr O’Connor said.
“So today we are announcing that if we are elected next month we will hire 150 additional Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers over our first term of a Crisafulli government.
“This is we think the biggest boost to national park management, certainly in recent Queensland history.
“Over the last decade the government have added about 50 new rangers. We’re talking about triple that number in our first term.”
Mr O’Connor said 30 of the new hires would form a dedicated fire management and response strike force – a first for the parks and wildlife service.
“It’s important not just for small urban national parks like the one here at Burleigh, but it’s also important for our enormous national parks like Munga-Thirri National Park out in Birdsville, our biggest park in Queensland, because for too long they have not been properly managed,” he said.
The announcement was welcomed by National Parks Association of Queensland CEO Chris Thomas.
“NPAQ welcomes this critical investment in rangers by the LNP. It is essential we invest in park management to protect them for generations to come and to provide world class nature destinations,” Mr Thomas said.
“Increasing investment is critically important for enabling QPWS to maintain the natural and cultural values that parks were established to protect, as well as for providing and maintaining an expanding and diverse range of suitable, safe and sustainable visitor experiences.”
Originally published as Revealed: LNP promise to build new koala bridge across Gold Coast Highway at Burleigh, speed limits reduced
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