Green light to install wildlife crossing along O’Brien Road Burpengary
Published 18 November 2021
Moreton Bay Regional Council is continuing its commitment to wildlife conservation, voting to install wildlife safety crossing along O’Brien Road in Burpengary.
Mayor Peter Flannery said the $362,000 project will deliver 275 metres of wildlife fencing and 28 metres of fauna rope bridge crossing to help keep native wildlife and motorists safe.
“As our region grows, we must increase our investment in conservation measures to protect local wildlife - not just for koalas but also for our other rare fauna species for decades to come,” he said.
“Residents can expect to see improvements like the installation of pedestrian and vehicle gates, wildlife fencing, fauna rope bridge crossing, road pavement stencils and more.
“As part of our Green Infrastructure Network, these measures can help create a safer passage for wildlife to travel across this high crash area by minimising their direct contact with cars.
“However, there’s only so much that Council can do, so I want to remind drivers to slow down and keep an eye out for wildlife when travelling through wildlife zones.
“What’s particularly exciting about this project is that the works will be delivered by a local company Auzcon Pty Ltd based in Deception Bay.
“It’s great to see more Council contracts are flowing to more Moreton Bay Region’s businesses with our “Local Preference” policy, which gives local businesses a competitive edge in the tender process so they can innovate, grow and continue to employ locals.
“If you’re a local business, I encourage you to register with Council via eProcure for upcoming Council tenders.
“I want to see our ratepayer dollars pumped back into our community and help support local jobs.”
Councillor Mark Booth (Div 2) welcomed the decision to build additional wildlife crossings on O’Brien Road in Burpengary.
“This particular parcel in the Burpengary Creek corridor system plays an important role in connecting our picturesque hinterland with the coastal areas of Burpengary East,” he said.
“It contains large areas of koala habitat as well as patches of endangered lowland rainforest - a unique and diverse environmental system in the heart of our region.
“Residents and drivers travelling through this location regularly report seeing wildlife like koalas, kangaroos, gliders and echidnas, so it’s important that we invest in greater measures to protect this important wildlife corridor."
Councillor Tony Latter (Div 12) said protecting local wildlife and their habitat is a priority for Council.
“We hear loud and clear from locals that they want to see greater environmental protection in the face of anticipated growth and development,” he said.
“So we are continuing to ramp up our efforts to invest in initiatives such as our Green Infrastructure Network to assist safer wildlife movement and support their population growth.
“This project also complements the work we do in our Environmental Land Buyback program to protect strategic habitats from development and preserve them for native wildlife,
“I hope to see a lot more land preserved for conservation purposes, so our native fauna and flora will continue to thrive for generations to come.”
The project will commence in January 2022 and take ten weeks to complete, weather depending.
To register with Council tenders, visit https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Business-Investment/Working-with-Council/Tenders
To find out more about our Green Infrastructure project, visit https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Roads/Green-Infrastructure-Network-Delivery-Program