FIXED speed cameras could be installed alongside local roads if Redland Shire Council succeeds in a new bid to save koalas from extinction.
As part of its $5.2 million koala rescue plan, the council plans to lobby the State Government to install permanent speed cameras in high-risk sites for koala kills.
Although the council does not have the power to install such cameras itself, it plans to conduct a study into suitable locations and would then take on an “advocacy” role in calling for the cameras.
The council will also consider changing its animal control laws to force all dog owners in the Redlands to restrain or den their dogs at night – a controversial move last rejected by councillors in 2005.
This would be accompanied by a community education campaign on the importance of denning dogs at night.
Both measures are listed as priorities in the council’s latest koala action plan, which has been developed in the wake of its koala summit at Alexandra Hills last year.
According to Environmental Protection Agency figures, the estimated koala population in the Redlands has fallen by 27 per cent to 3159 animals since 1999.
The council action plan was finalised after a recent public consultation stage and comes less than two months before the next local government elections.
It was supported by councillors at a committee meeting last week and is expected to gain formal backing at this Wednesday’s general meeting.
However, the speed camera idea may meet resistance from the State Government, which has previously said fixed speed camera locations would be decided on car crash data.
In other priority measures, the council plans to:
* Explore ways to increase koala habitat;
* Accelerate road modifications to reduce koala kills;
* Promote dog education;
* Locate key koala habitat trees and protect them;
* Identify cleared areas for revegetation;
* Extend vegetation protection orders to protect koala habitat from clearing and lopping, and;
* Support further research into koalas.
Some councillors described the suite of measures as a breakthrough for local koalas, but others dismissed it as a pre-election stunt that would not reduce the rate of development.