SEPTEMBER is Save The Koala Month and in Port Stephens work is underway to help reduce vehicle strikes – one of the biggest dangers for the beloved native marsupial locally.

“The highest number of koalas killed on roads during spring occurs in the Lismore, Byron, Port Stephens and Tweed LGAs (NSW Office of Environment and Heritage 2019),” a NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment spokesperson said.

Advertise with News of The Area today.
It’s worth it for your business.
Message us.
Phone us – (02) 4981 8882.
Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au

“More males than females are involved in vehicle strikes.

“The koala population has declined by at least 26 percent in NSW over the last 20 years (OEH 2018).

“Vehicle strike has played a key role in this decline – it is one of the most frequently reported causes of injury and death for koalas brought into care by wildlife rehabilitation groups.”

Port Stephens Council has been proactive in implementing a solution on Port Stephens Drive, a roadway with a history of koala vehicle strikes over the years.

New koala-proof fencing is being deployed along Port Stephens Drive with a tunnel (culvert) that allows koalas and other animals to cross the dangerous stretch of road.

Brock Lamont, Strategy and Environment Section Manager told News Of The Area, ”The fencing and fauna culvert has been constructed based on Transport for NSW designs and used for many years within NSW.

“The designs are based on the best available information and are updated in response to data gathered during the monitoring phase.

“Generally, a combination of ‘hard management controls’ such as koala proof fencing and culverts sees a much higher reduction in koala road strikes than ‘soft controls’ which use signage and lighting.”

Placement of the tunnel under Port Stephens Drive has been carefully determined.

”The tunnel has been strategically located to link koala habitat areas and designed so it is suitable for koala usage, whilst also ensuring minimal impacts to the environment.”

While the fencing won’t stop all koalas, it has been situated strategically, with gaps at certain spots.

”The fencing project is located on a section of Port Stephens Drive which has the least constraints and the best opportunity to protect the koala habitats.

“It wasn’t feasible for us to fence the entire roadway and we have ended the fencing at strategic locations.

“Koalas can still navigate to the ends of the fence however the design directs koalas towards openings in the fence to the culvert (tunnel).”

For the odd koala that gets onto the wrong side of the fence there are regularly placed one-way climbing posts to assist them in exiting the roadway.

”We ask drivers to be wary of koalas in the roadway in these areas.”

While the fencing and one-way koala posts are the most visible part of the project, there are more strategies being implemented to help save the species – including cattle grid type installations on side roads.

Port Stephens Council does not plan to employ a similar solution elsewhere in the LGA at this time.

“This project has been fully funded by and delivered in partnership with the NSW Koala Program.

“Council will continue working with the NSW Government on projects to protect our important Koala population,” Mr Lamont said.

Port Stephens Council is supporting Save the Koala month – keep an eye on their website for more details.

The Port Stephens Koala Hospital is encouraging members of the public to report koala sightings at www.portstephenskoalas.com.au/rescue.

If you see a koala in distress or injured, please call 1800 775 625.

By Marian SAMPSON