Port Stephens Council has secured $845,000 from the NSW Government, to assist with the protection of koalas around busy roads.
The grant funding comes after a state-wide investigation into vehicle road-strike hotspots, identified Port Stephens Drive as one of the worst koala road-strike sites in NSW.
Council's Group Manager of Development Services Steve Peart said although the numbers are concerning, the study also identified efficient and effective solutions to the problem.
"From 2010 to 2020, 89 koala records have been identified along Port Stephens Drive, including 11 vehicle strike fatalities, five vehicle strike injury rescues and 11 rescues," Mr Peart said.
"This grant funding from the NSW Government is allowing Council to install 2km
fauna-proof fencing on both sides of Port Stephens Drive, retrofit 850 metres
of koala-proof fencing to the existing Horizons Golf Course fence, build a 20 metre
long box culvert as fauna underpass near southern boundary of the golf course
and add koala pavement painting and roadside signage indicating koala speed
zones."
The funding also coincides with the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Port Stephens Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management.
The plan has been adopted by Council since 2002 and is central to identifying and protecting local habitats and threats to koalas, as well as furthering conservation efforts in the area.
Mr Peart said protecting this vulnerable population is a top priority for the community.
"People have a really special affiliation with the koala; it's not every day you get to walk through a reserve, some bushland, or even along a beach and come across a koala either walking on the ground or up in a tree. It's a really important part of the identity of the people of Port Stephens," he said.
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