The City of Moreton Bay has rolled out new roadside infrastructure aimed at reducing wildlife road deaths, following a successful trial of an Australian-first solution.
A total of 49 Fauna Escape Hatches have been installed across key wildlife collision hotspots, designed to help koalas and other native animals safely exit road corridors.
The one-way devices allow animals to move from roadside fencing back into bushland while preventing them from re-entering traffic areas. Locations include major roads such as Gympie Road in Petrie and Lawnton, and Youngs Crossing and Samsonvale Road in Joyner.
The broader rollout follows a 12-month trial of 16 hatches across seven council-managed roads, where no koala fatalities were recorded at monitored crossing points. Camera footage also confirmed use by other native species, including echidnas and bandicoots.
Mayor, Peter Flannery, said the initiative reflects council’s commitment to wildlife protection and road safety.
“We are committed to protecting our wildlife, including the iconic koala, and these fauna hatches are helping us do just that,” Flannery said.
“The trial demonstrated that these hatches provide effective exit points for native animals navigating roads, reducing the risk of injury for both wildlife and motorists.”
The devices were developed by local firm Endeavour Veterinary Ecology (EVE), with support from council, and refined through ongoing monitoring and design improvements.
EVE Environmental Manager – Technology, Natasha Banville, said the project highlights the role local government can play in advancing wildlife protection solutions.
“What started as a trial to better understand koala movement has evolved into a practical infrastructure solution through collaboration and real-world testing,” Banville said.
The rollout was supported by funding from the Queensland Government’s koala threat management program, and the technology is increasingly being adopted in road projects across the state.
Council is also trialling larger versions of the hatches for macropods on Bribie Island and continuing to install seasonal signage to alert drivers to wildlife movement during peak periods.
Further installations are planned for additional sites, as council continues to explore ways to improve road safety and protect local biodiversity.
