Dohles Rocks fauna fencing to provide critical koala habitat
Published 02 September 2020
Moreton Bay Regional Council is continuing its commitment to koala conservation, voting to secure three sites for tree planting in Kallangur and Murrumba Downs.
Council’s green infrastructure program is rolling out 920 metres of wildlife safety fencing along the major road and will plant 129 trees shared across three locations.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the $264,000 project will make the area safer for wildlife and deliver critical habitat for local koalas.
“The only way to save koalas on our roads is for drivers to obey our slow down signs and drive to the conditions,” he said.
“However that’s just an ideal, in reality there are still reckless drivers out there hitting koalas which means we need fencing in critical areas to stop koalas venturing onto roads like Dohles Rocks.
“These works will require the removal of some vegetation to install the fences, but we will plant three times as many as we remove to provide new koala habitat.
“Unlike other areas of Australia where koala populations are in decline, we are successfully growing local koala numbers year-on-year so it’s absolutely critical that we provide more habitat for them.”
The three locations for tree planting along the Murrumba Downs Habitat Corridor area:
- 99 Goodfellows Road, Kallangur
- Pam Gorring Park, Kallangur
- Brays Road Park, Murrumba Downs
Deputy Mayor Denise Sims (Div 7) said these works are critical in increasing safety for both local koalas and motorists.
“I’ve been receiving lots of enquiries from residents about what is being constructed along the tree line on Dohles Rocks Rd in Kallangur, it’s great to see this project underway,” she said.
“This area in Kallangur is a known wildlife corridor and we’re lucky to see plenty of koala movement, so the infrastructure not only protect koalas but provide habitat to support population growth.
“The three locations specifically chosen for offset planting will help ensure these trees grow to become thriving koala habitat for decades to come.”
The project will commence in late September and take four weeks to complete, weather dependent.
For more information about Council’s green infrastructure program, visit: www.mbrc.qld.gov.au/Services/Environment/Green-Infrastructure-Program