ANGELA Wallace is one of many people upset about the number of koalas being killed on local roads.
News Of The Area has previously reported on the issue but Ms Wallace says little has been done to mitigate these deaths, with another koala recently killed near Repton.
“Despite my agitating for action over the past six months with Government agencies, little has been done, with not even a sign or two so people are aware wildlife may be about, [or] a WIRES number to call.”
Ms Wallace questions why the old highway has one sign and lighting (although currently not working) but there is nothing on the M1.
“It has been nearly 20 years since this section of the highway was completed,” she said.
“It seems the signs didn’t move with the times or the highway.”
Ms Wallace said authorities had acknowledged last November that there was a lack of fencing near ramps at the Repton turn off but the rectification work that has been undertaken so far is on the other side of the freeway.
She pointed out that where the koala died, the wildlife fence nearby was thickly overgrown with lantana and a nearby underpass was almost impenetrable due to a mass of lantana.
“No wonder our iconic koala (dunggirr) is endangered with our roads as ‘killing zones’, deforestation [causing a] loss of habitat, and them trying to survive extreme weather events such as fires and floods.”
Ms Wallace said that while she has recently had some reassurance from Transport for NSW (TfNSW), she urges relevant authorities to urgently assess the area and to act immediately to help prevent further koala and other wildlife deaths.
She also urges motorists to drive with care through the part of the M1 which backs onto Bongil Bongil National Park.
The Department of Environment and Heritage advises that members of the public should only attempt to rescue a sick, injured or orphaned native animal not capable of fending for itself, if it is safe for both them and the animal.
Snakes, bats, flying-foxes or marine wildlife can only be rescued by qualified people and it is not permissible to keep a native animal as a pet.
Possessing or rehabilitating a native animal without an authority is illegal under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and can lead to prosecution.
If an injured, sick or orphaned native animal is found, WIRES can be contacted on 1300 094 737.
By Andrew VIVIAN
