Hello Ms White

 

 

Thank you for your initial email about koala safety at Toohey Road, Nathan.  I have heard back from Cr Tracy Davis (Chair of Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee) and she has provided the following :

 

I referred this matter to Council’s Natural Environment, Water and Sustainability for investigation and can provide you with the following information :

 

As Ms White has noted, the Commonwealth Government made a commitment in 2022 to build a fauna crossing underneath Toohey Road, Nathan to connect habitat within Toohey Forest. This commitment was not made in consultation with Council. However, given Toohey Road currently intersects Toohey Forest, a wildlife crossing in this location would be a welcome outcome.

 

Council officers have spoken with the team managing this matter in the Commonwealth Government. They have been advised that the Commonwealth Government is currently considering several options for improving safety for wildlife at Toohey Road. Council has been providing input and advice to them to support their considerations about the best solution for this location. However, the Commonwealth Government is yet to confirm how they would like to proceed.

 

Recent surveys that Council has done at Toohey Forest and Mt Gravatt Outlook Reserve using specially trained koala detection dogs have shown that the population of koalas living in these reserves has increased in recent years and is continuing to grow. Although it is exciting to see koala population numbers increasing in many parts of Brisbane, it does mean that there is increased likelihood to see more koalas moving between habitat areas in this location. It is important that wildlife such as koalas and echidnas can freely move between the two sections of Toohey Forest and Council would not support any solutions that would fragment this important habitat area.

 

I can confirm that Council has already installed large wildlife warning signs at the northern and southern end of Toohey Road (where the road intersects Toohey Forest) to warn drivers about the potential of koalas and wildlife on the roads and reminding them to ‘slow down.’ An LED Wildlife Awareness Monitor is also installed at the northern end of the road to further remind motorists to reduce their speed.

 

Council is committed to improving wildlife safety on roads across Brisbane. Council’s current focus is undertaking works to improve wildlife safety on roads where we see higher numbers of wildlife vehicle strikes, such as Boundary Road, Camp Hill and Pine Mountain Road, Carina Heights. Although Toohey Road intersects Toohey Forest, it has lower numbers of reported wildlife vehicle strikes than some other parts of Brisbane.

 

I note Ms White’s concern about the current 60km/h speed limits. All speed limits on roads in Queensland are set in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Queensland Government’s Queensland Road Safety Technical User Volumes: Guide to Speed Management and Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This ensures speed limits are set in a consistent and credible manner across Queensland.

 

Roads identified as potentially suitable for reviewed speed limits are then subject to a formalised speed limit review process, which takes into account the road’s function, recorded traffic speeds and volumes and crash data. I can advise that following Council’s advocacy, the MUTCD has recently been updated to take into account environmental considerations, including native habitat areas.

 

A preliminary review of the speed limit on Toohey Road has been undertaken in accordance with these guidelines. The review has found that the existing 60km/h speed limit is appropriate for Toohey Road. Urban road corridors or road sections with limited access typically have higher speed limits that range from 70km/h to 90km/h due to the lower number of traffic conflict points and associated risks. The section of Toohey Road, between Barnehurst and Flanders Streets, has limited access, wide traffic lanes and gentle curvature. Despite these factors generally supporting a higher speed limit, a 60km/h speed limit is currently in place. The 60km/h speed limit is considered to be low for this section of Toohey Road and, as such, any further reduction could not be supported.

 

I acknowledge Ms White’s concerns about dogs being allowed to run off-leash. I can assure you that the safety risks regarding uncontrolled animals is something Council takes very seriously. Council’s Animals Local Law 2017 (Local Law) places responsibility on the owners of dogs to ensure their pets are always under effective control. This includes keeping dogs on a leash in any public place, other than an off-leash area. Where officers observe dogs off-leash, or not under effective control, appropriate action is taken.

 

The Local Law also sets down minimum standards for keeping animals, which requires dog owners to ensure their dog does not cause a nuisance or endanger the health or safety of any person or animal. In addition, the Queensland Government’s Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 (the Act) imposes penalties for dogs that attack other animals or people. Recently, amendments to the Act have been proposed which will increase penalties if a pet seriously injures or kills. The proposed ‘Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Bill’ can be viewed under the ‘Bills’ tab on the Legislation Queensland website atwww.legislation.qld.gov.au 

 

I can advise that Council has been conducting patrols in Toohey Forest since December 2020 as part of our park patrol program. Officers have engaged with dog owners and provided education where necessary, with enforcement action being taken as required. 

 

While proactive patrols will continue to be undertaken, Council also relies on information from members of the community. Therefore, Ms White is encouraged to report any incidents of uncontrolled dogs to our 24-hour Contact Centre on 3403 8888. Alternatively, if Ms White has any additional information or evidence, she can email animalservices@brisbane.qld.gov.au.

 

You may also be interested to know that Council is constantly looking at new ways to raise public awareness about responsible pet ownership and we will continue to consider suggestions in upcoming campaigns. Further information can be found by visiting Council’s website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.auand searching ‘keeping a dog.’

 

Council is continuing to provide feedback to the Commonwealth Government and it is hoped that they will shortly advise how they want to proceed with any works at Toohey Road to improve wildlife safety. More information can be shared with residents at this time. 

 

Thank you for contacting my office with your concern Ms White, and please feel free to get in touch if you have any other council-related queries you wish to discuss.

 

Yours sincerely 

 

 

Cr Krista Adams

Deputy Mayor

Councillor for Holland Park Ward

Holland Park Ward Office  | BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL

 

 

 
 

 

hollandpark.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au | (07) 3403 7791 |  Shop 13, 1290 Logan Road, Mt Gravatt  QLD  4122

 

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