Never-before-seen vision of local wildlife using Brisbane’s world-first koala bridge has been revealed by the Schrinner Council.
Council wildlife cameras have captured more than 100 wildlife movements on the bridge since the cameras started rolling about eight months ago.
The recent footage of koalas crossing coincides with the start of koala breeding season, which runs from July to October each year.
The first-of-its-kind koala bridge was designed by wildlife experts and installed in 2022 at a notorious strike hotspot along Boundary Road in Camp Hill and Coorparoo.
Koalas and possums are among the species using the bridge to cross Boundary Road safely.
This is one of several initiatives introduced by the Schrinner Council to improve safety for wildlife around Boundary Road.
In May 2024, new wildlife fencing, 12 new fauna escape poles and new spring-loaded gates were installed in the same area.
Council has previously taken action to reduce wildlife strikes by lowering the speed limit from 70km/h to 60km/h after the State Government reviewed its rules to allow wildlife strikes to be considered in speed limit reviews.
Boundary Road borders Whites Hill Reserve which is an incredibly important bushland area with a strong koala population.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner:
“Brisbane is the koala capital of the world and we’ve teamed up with wildlife experts to make sure it stays this way.
“This vision shows our world-first bridge helps koalas move between important bushland areas and it’s fantastic to know they’re able to cross safely to find new mates and grow the local population.
“As well as our wildlife crossings and escape poles, we’re continuing to work with leading universities on our koala relocation program and the rollout of the ground-breaking koala chlamydia vaccine.
“It’s all about protecting the incredible native wildlife that help Brisbane one of the best places in the world to live.”
Quotes attributable to Holland Park Ward Krista Adams:
“Whites Hills Reserve is an important bushland area and we want to support its thriving koala population.
“We know the new wildlife structures have made a big difference and will help protect koalas and boost their population around Whites Hill Reserve.
“We’ll continue working with the wildlife experts to make sure our precious wildlife is protected now and into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Coorparoo Ward Councillor Fiona Cunningham:
“This new vision shows how critical our efforts to keep koalas safe is helping them travel to find food, mates or new areas to live.
“Coorparoo is about 10 kilometres from the CBD and we are incredibly lucky to live amongst incredible native wildlife and dense bushland.
“There are few capital cities across Australia and the world where you can find local wildlife so close to the city and we’re working hard to make sure it stays this way for future generations.”
