Carolyn Male MP, State Member for Pine Rivers, said that the State Government will be implementing a koala retrofit crossing program as part of the South East Queensland Koala Response Strategy released by the Koala Taskforce.

Carolyn Male MP said that the Koala Taskforce is a state government initiative aimed at preventing the extinction of koalas and restoring the existing population to viable levels.

“The retrofit program, which will implemented during the 2009-2010 financial years, will aim to reduce the number of koalas struck by vehicles on state-controlled roads by implementing a number of measures intended to assist koalas to cross roads safely,” Carolyn Male MP said.

The scope for the works may include one or more of the following at each location:
- Providing new fauna exclusion fencing on state-controlled road boundaries
- Implementing revegetation and weed control works at entrances to bridges/drainage structures
- Installing ‘escape poles’ adjacent to fauna exclusion fencing to aid koalas in getting off the road
- Installing wildlife advisory signage where necessary
- Installing fauna ramps to allow fauna other than koalas to gain access through the fence

“The area to undergo proposed works in the Pine Rivers Electorate as part of the koala retrofit program is at Gympie Road, near Four Mile Creek at Lawton/Strathpine,” Carolyn Male MP said.

A detailed evaluation/monitoring program will also be undertaken after the completion of works to assess the effectiveness of the measures implemented by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The Department will be conducting community engagement with stakeholders within this area.