A NEW native wildlife hot spots map will help drivers know where wildlife are most likely to be crossing roads, and where they need to take the foot off the pedal.
The hot spots map has been designed specifically to reduce the number of collisions between vehicles and native wildlife.
Data was analysed in collaboration between Logan City Council and the University of Queensland, using information from RSPCA, the Department of Main Roads and Transport and environmental database, WildNet.
The map identifies 21 locations that are considered the highest risk of animals, including kangaroos, wallabies and koalas, being on roadways.
The locations range from Springwood, Cornubia and Carbrook in the east to Greenbank, New Beith and Mundoolun in the west and south of the city.
The hot spots have been identified by analysing and mapping data including:
• road attributes and speed limits
• connections to biodiversity corridors
• proximity to wildlife habitat
• species distribution records.
The data includes fauna injury and road-kill statistics collected by council since 2011.
The new map replaces a less-comprehensive 2018 version.
Deputy mayor Jon Raven said: “We know our community is passionate about protecting our native animals but suddenly finding them on our roads can pose serious risks to road users.”
A range of potential on-ground mitigation measures has also been identified for each of the hotspots. The measures include the trial of new portable, vehicle-activated wildlife zone signs.
The solar-powered signs are similar to the widely used road safety and speeding signs, but will carry wildlife-specific warnings.
The signs and mitigation measures will complement wildlife virtual fences already installed at Park Ridge and Rosia roads in Park Ridge and Henderson Road and Cusack Lane, in Glenn Logan.
