Community & Business
1 September, 2025
Petition launched after koala orphaned
The death of a mother koala in Highfields leaving her joey, Hazel, orphaned, has sparked a community petition calling for urgent wildlife protection measures across the Downs and Lockyer regions.
Local wildlife carers say the incident is part of a disturbing trend of preventable road deaths in known koala habitat areas, including Highfields, Meringandan, and Crows Nest.
Ahri Tallon, spokesperson for the Darling Downs Environment Council, said rapid development, habitat loss, and increased traffic are pushing wildlife into dangerous territory, yet councils and state agencies have not implemented the targeted protection strategies already in place in other parts of Queensland.
“Hazel’s story is heartbreaking, but sadly it’s not unique. We’re seeing more koalas hit by cars every year, and the solutions are already out there - our region just hasn’t acted on them,” Mr Tallon said.
While the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy has delivered positive results in coastal regions, it does not currently extend to much of the Darling Downs or Lockyer Valley, despite the presence of vulnerable koala populations.
The petition, “Protect Koalas and Wildlife in the Downs – Act Now!”, calls on local councils and state agencies to:
Develop regional Koala Conservation Strategies to identify habitat, map strike hotspots, and implement proven mitigation measures.
Install permanent and seasonal wildlife warning signage, variable message boards, and road markings in high-risk zones.
Include wildlife-friendly infrastructure such as underpasses, rope bridges, and fencing in all road upgrades.
Fund and coordinate regional wildlife rescue, roadkill reporting, and public education campaigns.
Expand the SEQ Koala Conservation Strategy statewide, prioritising the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley for urgent action.
“Our community is ready to work alongside government to make these changes, but without dedicated funding, clear habitat mapping, and practical road safety measures, more joeys like Hazel will lose their mothers,” Mr Tallon said.
To sign the petition visit ddec.org.au/koala-petition
