Koala conservation efforts in Mt Gravatt are showing mixed results, with exclusion fencing helping to reduce road deaths but threats from predators and traffic remaining a concern.
Read: Mt Gravatt Roads Among Slowest as SEQ Traffic Worsens, RACQ Reports
Background on Conservation Efforts
In 2022, exclusion fencing was installed at the front of TAFE Queensland’s Mount Gravatt campus. This initiative was spearheaded by the Mount Gravatt East Townhouse Development Action Group (MGETDAG), with the support of Queensland Koala Society Inc., TAFE Queensland, QBUILD, the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, and Ms Corrine McMillan for Mansfield.
It was aimed at preventing koalas from accessing the high-risk corridor along Cavendish Road. The fencing includes unclimbable sheeting to deter koalas from entering dangerous traffic areas. Koalas can jump as high as 1.2 metres.
Regular monitoring of the area has been successful. Spotters from the Queensland Koala Society, who would typically see up to 12 koalas in a day, recently recorded 17 in just 1.5 hours, despite adverse weather conditions.
MGETDAG also provided funding for the Koala Kindergarten tree nursery at QKS Chandler, with its volunteers actively participating in planting the seedlings.
Ongoing Threats to Local Wildlife
Despite the progress, Mt Gravatt remains a high-risk area for koalas. The 2024 Koala Report Card recorded 168 incidents of injured or sick koalas across Brisbane South-East, with 113 deaths. Within Mt Gravatt East, 27 incidents were reported, including 21 fatalities. Nearby, Upper Mt Gravatt had 14 incidents and 12 deaths recorded.
At Mt Gravatt TAFE, four incidents occurred. All four were confirmed koala deaths. However, the recent death of a five-year-old female koala and her six-week-old joey due to a fox attack has brought attention to a rising threat from predators on campus grounds.
Speed and Visibility Risks
Data from the region shows that 62% of vehicle strikes occurred in 60 km/h zones, where the koala survival rate is around 55%. In 70 km/h zones, the survival rate drops to 20%, and at speeds of 80 km/h or higher, survival is nil. Mt Gravatt Outlook, where eight incidents occurred and five koalas died, continues to face risks due to poor visibility, unresolved gate management issues, and narrow verge conditions.
Public Awareness and Local Engagement
Community reporting and active involvement remain vital. Reports from local volunteers and spotters have been crucial in identifying patterns, especially during peak breeding months from August to November. Multiple posts on social media from conservation groups and residents have called for improved habitat connectivity and immediate action on predator management.
A local report noted that conjunctivitis and cystitis remain prevalent among koalas during breeding season, increasing vulnerability. Tristania Way and Edwards Parks reported 15 koala deaths in 2024, mostly linked to disease.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Read: Mt Gravatt College Welcomes Refugee’s Hospitality Skills
While exclusion fencing has improved koala safety in targeted parts of Mt Gravatt, comprehensive habitat protection, predator control, and road safety upgrades are still required. Conservation groups are urging BCC to prioritise these next steps.
Published 10-Apr-2025
