In the Media 2005

Koalas get a leg-up to safety with council's help
4 June 2005
Sunshine Coast Daily, page 38

NOOSA council is looking to install two wooden climbing frames along a Sunshine Beach street in an effort to prevent koalas being run over and killed by cars.

Working in consultation with The Koala Foundation, Custom Lattice and local koala experts, Noosa council works planning officer Dallas Bickley has devised a wooden ladder-like device to give stranded koalas a safe passage up the vertical rock wall flanking busy Edward Street, which links Noosa with David Low Way.

Local residents sparked the move when they contacted Noosa councilor Frank Pardon, concerned too many koalas were being hit by cars after becoming stranded on the narrow shoulder on the wall side of the road.

Based on a similar concept used on the Leslie Drive rock wall, the frames are made of wooden lattice mounted in hardwood frames to be bolted onto the wall, giving koalas a safe passage from the narrow road shoulder up the wall to safety.

"They'll be off the wall just a bit so they (koalas) can get their claws in."

Mr Bickley and council staff on Wednesday transported the two ladders to Australia Zoo where they will be tested with koalas in the zoo’s animal rehabilitation centre for a week.

"Hopefully they’ll like it and they'll climb it."

If the trial is successful the ladders will be installed on Edward Street in the near future.