New Fauna Fencing for Old Cleveland Rd

Cr Murphy at one of the new locations where fauna fencing will be installed.

As you may recall, in late 2023, the Queensland Government completed major roadworks at Old Cleveland Road, Carindale as part of Stage 1 of the Eastern Transitway bus priority project. This project included the installation of fauna movement infrastructure to support the safe movement of koalas underneath the Old Cleveland Road bridge that crosses Bulimba Creek.

In recent years, this location has unfortunately become a hotspot for koala vehicle strikes. In response to growing community concerns, in 2024 the Queensland Government committed to funding the installation of fauna exclusion fencing in this location which will prevent koalas from accessing the road and will funnel wildlife safely underneath the road bridge where the fauna movement infrastructure is located.

Council will soon commence the installation of this fauna exclusion fencing on this section of Old Cleveland Road to prevent koalas from accessing the roadway at its intersection with Bulimba Creek. The project aims to reduce koala vehicle strikes at this known wildlife collision hotspot.

Approximately 620 metres of koala exclusion fencing will be installed by Council (as indicated by the red line in the aerial photograph below). The project is funded by the Queensland Government and will be delivered by Council as part of ongoing efforts to reduce koala road mortality in the area and improve safety outcomes for both wildlife and motorists.

Tilley Rd and Grassdale Rd Intersection, Gumdale

The fencing has been designed to prevent koalas and other wildlife from accessing the road corridor while minimising impacts on existing significant vegetation.

Key features of the project include:

• Installation of approximately 620 linear metres of 1.2 metre-high koala exclusion fencing.  

• Provision of self-closing pedestrian gates and vehicle management access gates that also prevent fauna from accessing the road corridor.

• Installation of eight fauna escape hatches (identified by letters on the aerial photograph) enable animals that enter the road corridor to safely exit and avoid becoming trapped on the road side of the fence.

• Installation of monitoring infrastructure to assess the effectiveness of the escape hatches and fencing.

• Careful alignment of the fencing to minimise impacts on existing vegetation and retain koala habitat and food trees where possible.  

This project represents an important investment in reducing koala mortality and improving habitat connectivity outcomes within Brisbane's eastern koala network.  

Construction is likely to commence in the coming months. I will keep you informed as delivery timeframes are finalised and construction is scheduled.