REDLAND City Council is set to invest in new trailers bearing solar panels to power its problematic flashing koala signs.
The six mobile signs began their rotation around the city in December, flashing 'slow down' or 'thanks for going slow' messages to drivers, but have been plagued by problems with their batteries since then.
At $8000 per sign, they use LED (light emitting diode) technology and motion sensors to flash messages personalised by the council to suit the location.
In May, the signs were taken off the roads to undergo intensive testing after the batteries were lasting less than a week.
But in a council meeting last week, officers reported that while the signs are back on the roads for the beginning of koala breeding season, batteries were being changed as frequently as every second day.
The council officer said they had reduced the number of times signs flashed per vehicle, which had been as high as 16 flashes for a vehicle travelling at 25km/h. He said because the signs were placed in areas of high traffic, the high frequency of flashing quickly depleted the battery.
Councillor Debra Henry (Div 3) said the mobility of the signs had still been positive.
"We've all purchased things that haven't lived up to our expectations - the LED technology being used is still very new," she said.
"The mere fact that these signs are mobile is great, they can be moved around so people don't get blas? about the issue."
Both Cr Henry and Cr Wendy Boglary (Div 1) said the signs had also calmed traffic in school zones.
But Cr Murray Elliott (Div 7) said: "This whole project has blown up in our faces."
"The research on this was abysmal - all I see, every time I go past them is, 'you're going too fast, you're going too fast'," he said.
Cr Elliott suggested the signs be switched off during the day and turned on between dusk and dawn, when koalas were more active. However, the council officer said although this option had been debated, they did not want the community to think the signs weren't working.
Mayor Melva Hobson said she supported raising awareness in drivers, but: "I'd be very hesitant to spend any more money on the signs."
A spokesman for the council said the anticipated cost of the new trailers was not available as the design and cost specifications had not been completed.
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