A young koala known as Luke has died after being struck by a vehicle in Mt Gravatt for the third time in under nine months, prompting renewed concerns over habitat safety.
Repeated Incidents on Urban Roads
A koala referred to as Luke was fatally struck on the M3 in Upper Mt Gravatt in July 2025. This marked the third time he had been hit by a vehicle within a nine-month period. The first incident occurred in October 2024 on Creek Road in Mt Gravatt East, followed by a second collision on the M3 in April 2025. While he had previously survived both events and was released with ear tag #1613, the most recent impact proved fatal.
Luke was approximately 4.5 years old at the time of his death and had not yet reached full breeding maturity, raising concerns about the long-term survival of the local koala population.
Mt Gravatt’s Urban Pressures on Koalas
Luke’s death is part of a broader trend affecting koalas in and around the Mt Gravatt region. Conservation groups have pointed to habitat fragmentation, urban road infrastructure, and the lack of safe crossings as key contributors to koala mortality.
In 2024 alone, 113 koala deaths were recorded in the area surrounding Whites Hill Reserve, with nearly 70 percent of those occurring during the four-month breeding season. The region known as “Brisbane’s Triangle of Death”—bounded by Mount Gravatt Mountain, Seven Hills Reserve, and Bulimba Creek—has been identified as a hotspot for incidents, with Whites Hill at its centre.
Koala Activity Patterns and Risk
Koalas are typically active for roughly 20 percent of the day, mainly between dusk and dawn. During these hours, they move between trees in search of food, territory, or mates. These natural behaviours bring them into increased contact with roads and urban developments.
Community organisations report that even small changes can reduce risks, such as walking dogs on leads, driving cautiously at night, and maintaining trees in yards and footpaths. In particular, planting more trees and creating accessible escape paths for koalas are suggested as simple protective measures.
Public Reaction and Concerns
Local conservation pages have documented strong public responses following Luke’s death, with residents expressing frustration over repeated incidents in the same area. Many community members have raised concerns about the long-term viability of koala populations in suburban environments and questioned the adequacy of wildlife protections and urban planning in koala zones.
Concerns have also been raised about whether current monitoring efforts are sufficient, with uncertainty about the number of remaining koalas in the region and whether the local population may already be nearing functional extinction.
Outlook for Wildlife in Mt Gravatt
Without changes to road planning, habitat management, and community awareness, conservation groups warn that further losses are likely. Luke’s case has drawn renewed attention to existing blackspots and the consequences of infrastructure intersecting with native wildlife corridors.
As breeding season continues, advocates urge residents to remain alert and take preventative measures to reduce further incidents involving koalas across Mt Gravatt and surrounding suburbs.
Published 29-July-2025
