2019-03-12 P&E Agenda - Item 5 - Attachment 2 - Koala Infrastructure & Feasibility Report

4.2.            Proposed New Infrastructure
General descriptions of and recommendations for new infrastructure are listed below. The recommendations
were informed by findings of the literature review and the results of the field audit. The general approach is
to:

•    prevent koala access to the road surface and provide a passage way under the road where possible
•    provide escape routes in areas where there are koala records or where there is potential for koalas to
     become trapped on the road
•    slow traffic and inform motorists of koala activity in areas where koalas must cross the road surface

Detailed accounts for each hotspot are in Section 4.3.

4.2.1. Koala Exclusion Fencing and Retrofitting Underpasses
Figure 12 highlights five regions where additional mitigation measures such as exclusion fencing and
retrofitting of underpasses are recommended.

It is recommended that koala exclusion fencing is extended, existing fencing is upgraded and associated
existing structures are retrofitted where appropriate on:

•    Walter Hay Drive (south and north of existing fencing)
•    Eenie Creek Road (east and west of existing fencing)
•    Weyba Road

It is recommended that new koala exclusion fencing (in collaboration with DTMR) and associated culverts be
retrofitted on:

•    Cooroy Noosa Road
•    McKinnon Drive



4.2.2. Koala Climbing Structures
Figure 13 highlights potential barriers to koala movement with no escape routes including

•    long concrete barrier walls (typically found on long bridges)
•    high acoustic/timber fencing
•    rock revetment/gabion walls.

Existing Concrete Barriers
Existing long concrete barriers could potentially trap a koala if it were to make its way onto a bridge,
particularly in areas where there are potential koala crossing points close by. Bridges of interest include:

•    Monks Bridge
•    Girraween Bridge
•    Eenie Creek Bridge

Both Monks and Girraween Bridges have existing koala exclusion fences that abut to the bridge, however
there are gaps in the fencing where public pathways cross the fence line. If a koala were to enter onto the
bridge, there are currently no escape routes. There have been multiple koala strikes recorded close to Monks
Bridge and Eenie Creek Bridge entrances.

Koala Infrastructure Audit & Feasibility Report                                                        Page 26

Noosa Council
17SUN-0087/1700860