Approved report - RACV Koala Management Plan

          a) Circumstances where a koala is moving across open ground where previously
              habitat existed (but is cleared), hence exposing the koala where otherwise it would
              be hidden from predators.
          b) Occasions where a koala is disturbed from a location by construction or other
              activity such that it is predisposed to predation, such as climbing high to avoid
              activity or ascending a tree if disturbed whilst on the ground.


In these situations, predators will not be interfered with, but koalas will be monitored and
any necessary steps (such as local relocation to adjacent tree, or perhaps erection of
protective screening from aerial predators) will be initiated by an authorised person (see
koala welfare), so that the threat posed because of activity at the site is removed. Koalas
may be subject to aerial predation if they are unable to shelter in a dense canopy, for
example.

5.5               Risk of Vehicle Strike

A koala road crossing area is required to be established to limit the current risk of road
death for koalas on Noosa Drive – this is a pre-existing threat as indicated by records. The
exact detail of this and appropriate road treatment is yet not determined and may change
over time as new approaches are assessed. In the absence of development at the site it is
hoped that Noosa Council will address this existing threat. A co-ordinated approach
between the developer and council is likely to result in an enhanced outcome.
It is proposed that:
      •   Lighting and signage will be provided at a potential koala crossing point, to reduce
          koala and vehicle collisions. This should include signage at the entry roads to the
          local roundabout – signage agreed to be “best practice” in consultation with council
          and government experts.
      •   In addition to driver awareness signage, vegetation management will ensure
          visibility of koalas, for example by reducing ground cover adjacent to the road,
      •   Road treatment should include coloured paving and calming elements to alert
          drivers to the presence of koalas and other wildlife, as well as lighting to increase
          visibility.
      •   Signage will be prominent at the approach to wildlife crossing points.
      •   In particular, the hours of dawn and dusk are times at which koalas are active and
          susceptible to road trauma, so clear driver education will form part of the approach
          to mitigating road fatalities.

Koala Management Plan          Version:    4       Approved by:   W Ellis       Date approved: 27 Jan 2023
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