In response to resident concerns regarding wildlife strikes on Yurol Forest Drive and our advocacy, Transport and Main Roads (TMR) have advised they commenced a speed review earlier this year, which includes obtaining feedback from Noosa Council and local police. In addition, they placed Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) to alert motorists to increasing koala movements. The following is TMR’s update providing further information:
TMR shares the community’s concerns for fauna and driver safety, and it is always disappointing to hear about wildlife strikes.
TMR environmental officers have advised that Yurol Forest Drive borders important habitat areas.
I can advise TMR is undertaking a speed limit review along the Yurol Forest Drive section of Kin Kin Road in accordance with the Queensland Road Safety Technical User Volumes: Guide to Speed Management. It should be noted that speed limits are set following a detailed engineering assessment that considers a range of factors including crash history, traffic volumes and prevailing speeds, road function, construction standard, and abutting development.
Permanent koala warning signage is currently in place on Yurol Forest Drive. Also, temporary Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) have recently been placed on Yurol Forest Drive to alert motorists to increasing koala movements with the commencement of breeding season. Further wildlife mitigation controls are considered along with any future capital expenditure projects on the state-controlled road network.
Additionally, TMR is supporting the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation’s ‘Koalas on the Move’ campaign again this year in collaboration with Noosa Council. TMR is assisting the campaign with the placement of VMS at two locations on McKinnon Drive and Cooroy–Noosa Road. These VMS are expected to remain in place until January 2025, with the aim to increase motorists’ awareness of potential koala movements during koala breeding season. Messaging will also be posted on TMR’s social media channels to encourage motorists to be aware of koalas while driving on our roads and engage in koala-friendly driver behaviour.
We have since requested an update from TMR on the progress of the speed review and will update once a response has been received.
Further information
Sandy has also funded a wildlife study of strike hotspots and provided the results to Noosa Council and TMR. For our latest update regarding, please visit www.sandybolton.com/noosa-mp-funded-study-to-protect-our-wildlife-update-september-2024.
Information on the speech review process is available at www.sandybolton.com/speed-limit-review-process-january-2023.
For those concerned regarding the ‘End 60’ sign placed on Yurol Forest Drive, please visit our update at www.sandybolton.com/end-60-sign-on-yurol-forest-drive-pomona-march-2024.
To report an urgent issue affecting traffic on a state-controlled road, please phone 131940 to report.
To contact our local TMR office, please email northcoast@tmr.qld.gov.au.
For information on claiming damages to your vehicle from a state-controlled road, please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/conditions/report/claim#:~:text=Complete%20a%20claim%20form%20(F5110,listed%20on%20the%20claim%20form.
To contact the Minister for Transport and Main Roads, please email transportandmainroads@ministerial.qld.gov.au.
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