New kangaroo roadside escapes are being tested at Bribie Island in south-east Queensland after an earlier trial for koalas proved a success.
And council is pondering expanding the use of these hatches for other species.
The hatches offer one-way access for the animals who can escape from road corridors to nearby bushland but can’t re-enter the escape.
Moreton Bay council says the escapes were developed by local business Endeavour Veterinary Ecology (EVE) with their support after trials.
The new Fauna Escape Hatch is designed for species that push through or under barriers to allow them to pass easily.
EVE is testing their new macropod hatches at three sites on Bribie Island, a kangaroo collision hotspot, with another four council-designed hatches also being tested on the island.
The trial of the hatches for kangaroos and wallabies comes after a council trial of the fauna escape hatch last year; it rolled out 16 of the devices at collision hotspots across Moreton Bay in time for the 2024 koala breeding season.
Camera monitoring at two sites revealed koalas using the one-way hatch to get out of the road corridor into bushland as well as other native wildlife such as echidnas.
During the 12-month trial, no koala deaths were recorded at crossings that had the fauna hatches installed on roadside fences, council says.
KANGAROO HATCH EXPANSION IN WORKS
Mayor Peter Flannery says the larger hatches will allow macropod species to safely exit the roadway.
“Following the promising results of our trial, we are not only looking at where we can install more hatches but how we can use them to protect other species and road users,” he said.
“Kangaroos and wallabies, like the koala, have substantial populations in Moreton Bay so we are thrilled that EVE, and our council team, both designed hatches to accommodate these larger species.”
Council also recently completed erecting fauna fencing around Avon Avenue on Bribie Island where kangaroos regularly hop onto roads.
“When we designed our fauna escape hatch, we always had in the back of our minds that it was never going to be just for koalas.” — EVE Technology Manager Natasha Banvill.
Councillor Brooke Savige said the fencing would prevent kangaroos and wallabies from ending up in the path of vehicles.
“The new fauna fencing and large hatches will help protect both wildlife and drivers on Bribie Island,” she said.
“While this green infrastructure will prevent kangaroos and wallabies from crossing the road, we still need drivers to slow down and stay alert for wildlife.”
DESIGN ADAPTED FOR USE
EVE Technology Manager Natasha Banville says their new hatch was an adapted version of the original device that has been tested rigorously to ensure it doesn’t harm koalas or other animals.
“When we designed our fauna escape hatch, we always had in the back of our minds that it was never going to be just for koalas,” she said.
“We’ve seen echidnas, bandicoots and possums interact with the hatch and now we’ve been able to alter its design to cater for macropods.
“When it’s estimated that around 10 million native animals are killed on Australian roads each year due to vehicle collisions, research with trials like these are key to reduce human-wildlife conflict on our roads, which are catastrophic, not just for wildlife, but for people on the road too.”
Council also installs seasonal signs in key wildlife collision hotpots across local roads, advising drivers about the increased risk of encountering wildlife on road during peak wildlife breeding and dispersal times.
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