2019-03-12 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                    12 MARCH 2019


The consultants have recommended high visibility koala signs (and more frequent roadside
slashing) for the following roads:
    Walter Hay Drive
    Eenie Creek Road
    Weyba Road
    Cooroy-Noosa Road
    McKinnon Drive
    Lake McDonald Drive
    Noosa Drive and Grant Street (not slashing)
    Solway Drive, Bryan Street, Heathland Drive, Edwards Street
    Cooyar Street, Laguna Drive, Noosa Springs Drive (not slashing)
    Lake Flat Road, Cootharaba Road, Junction Road (Cootharaba)
    Pioneer Road, Pomona
    Traveston Road, Coles Creek Road (Cooran)
    Cooroy Belli Road/Ceylon Road
    Wust/Beddington Road
    Neusavale Road/Sister Tree Creek Road
Council officer comments
The long term effectiveness of standard koala road signs in slowing down traffic or alerting
drivers to fauna is questionable. Local drivers tend to notice new sign installations but become
accustomed to the signs quite quickly, particularly if there is a proliferation of signs. New visitors
such as tourists may notice the signs. Illuminated signs, similar to school zone signs that light up
when vehicles approach, are more noticeable to drivers. Given the possibility of koalas potentially
crossing roadways in various parts of the shire, a very large number of illumination signs would
be required to be effective.
The Council adopted Sign Policy encourages less sign clutter throughout the shire. One of the
key principles of the sign policy is:
‘Question the need for new signage and explore other emerging technologies for the delivery of
information other than through signage’.
Council officer recommendations
As per the audit report existing signs continue to be maintained, but no new signs be installed
unless all other infrastructure measures are explored and a concentration of recent koala records
supports localised action such as wildlife warning signs.
Speed limits
Background
A lowering of speed limits in some areas may help to provide drivers with a greater response
time to avoid fauna on the roadway. Seasonal speed limit reductions in relation to reducing koala
vehicle strike have been trialled elsewhere and there appeared to be no appreciable change in
driver behaviour and no improvement in reducing the incidence of koala car strike (Redland City
Council and QPWS 1995-1999).




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