Safer roads for wildlife

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

 

This is a critical time to ensure protections for wildlife on the NSW South Coast, following the devastating impact on wildlife from the 2019 – 2020 fires. It is estimated that 80 % of natural habitat, on the south coast, was destroyed during this event.

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Whilst the upgrade to the Princes highway is a welcome improvement for motorists, it will mean significant destruction of the adjacent bushland. In some planning documents, from Transport for NSW, this even includes nature reserves.

The highway upgrade will also result in increased animal and bird deaths from collisions with cars. This is terrible for the animals and birds and traumatic and costly for the car drivers.

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It is undeniable, that tourism plays an important role economically for the South Coast. One major drawcard for tourists is our unique wildlife. These animals require our advocacy, not simply from an economic point of view, but also for our future generations to enjoy.

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Safer Roads for Wildlife is a campaign founded and driven by Shoalhaven residents who are passionate about ensuring our wildlife is not put under any further pressure and their protection is a priority in the Princes Highway upgrade.

 

MISSION STATEMENT:

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That Transport for NSW plans routes and construction of highways to minimise harm to critical habitat and wildlife and incorporates safe and sufficient world class wildlife crossings into every stage of the Princes Highway upgrade.

 

OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify affected species, sites and wildlife corridors:

• Identify all species affected by planned upgrades

• Identify threatened species affected by planned upgrades

• Identify existing wildlife corridors that will be impacted

• Identify current hot spots for wildlife collisions and obtain data on vehicle to wildlife collisions from insurers

2. Propose approaches to protect wildlife:

• Identify wildlife corridors that must be protected

• List existing wildlife crossing options on Australian highways

• Suggest wildlife crossing options and locations for Princes highway that

• Advocate for holistic planning for the highway along its length rather than piecemeal as each section gets done according to our stated fauna connectivity principles

3. Build community support for campaigns:

• Identify all stakeholders

• Commence community campaign

4. Develop strong working relationship with Transport for NSW.

5. Work with Universities and other organisations to increase understanding of best practices.

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PRINCIPLES

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1. The full upgrade for the Shoalhaven should be planned in a staged holistic manner with respect to wildlife.

2. The loss of habitat, particularly critically important hollow bearing trees, is minimised and forward planning ensures the timing of tree removal and other strategies will not impact on breeding seasons.

3. Unavoidable damage to habitat be offset in a holistic and strategic way, maximising the protection of other at-risk habitat in the local area.

4. The widened road will greatly increase the chance wildlife deaths, so we ask that best practice wildlife protections and crossings are implemented to minimise collisions and facilitate animal movements across the corridor for all local species, not just threatened animals.

5. Animals that will be directly affected by the unavoidable loss of habitat, particularly hollow-dependent species, are supported with best practice and sufficient artificial hollows in accessible neighbouring habitat to minimise disruption. This would require ongoing monitoring and management.

6. The hydrological impact of widened road be considered and mitigation strategies employed

7. The end result of the road upgrade must be an increase in protected habitat and fewer wildlife collisions including the joining of coastal National Parks with inland National Parks.

 

ACTIONS:

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1. Conduct surveys of affected areas. Consult data in iNaturalist. Engage with local experts.

2. Contact local species experts. Read DPIE latest report. Compare with community observations

3. Liaise with The Great Eastern Ranges group to access their data on existing corridors.

4. Access data from iNaturalist Project Australia’s Untold Road Toll. Gather information from local wildlife rescue group.

5. Access pictures of existing wildlife protection from various council areas. Determine how these measures were developed – eg community or government initiatives?

6. Contact major car insurance companies to share their costs for wildlife collisions.

7. Contact state & federal members, local community groups, CCBs, wildlife rescue groups, National Parks Association.

8. Have T-shirts designed & made, petition, radio interview, FB group, webpage, attend markets

9. Letter to be written to Transport for NSW to identify where current wildlife crossings are on most recent flyover upgrade and what is planned to be incorporated in next stage.

10. Approach ANU seeking research students.

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For more information, follow the Safer Roads for Wildlife Facebook page.