Motorists should be aware there will be a speed reduction on a short length of the Bruxner Highway from near McKees Hill to South Gundurimba before Christmas.

Transport for NSW carried out a speed zone review, with the result being a speed reduction from 100kmh to 80kmh for the 6.1 kilometre stretch of road.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin has welcomed confirmation of the speed reduction.

Ms Saffin said the changes were being made in response to requests from Bruxner Highway road users and the East Lismore-based charity Friends of the Koala (FOK) group.

“An application to change speed limits is approved when a review, conducted in accordance with the NSW Speed Zoning Standard, finds there are safety benefits for motorists and other road users. In this location, there is the added bonus of providing protection for koalas.

“There were five koala deaths on this section of the Bruxner Highway in August alone, and any protection measure we can take to reduce that toll is worth taking.

“In addition to the speed zone change, signs to alert motorists that koalas could be present in the area are also to be installed, and this should also be a big help in reducing the impact on the local population of these beloved animal species.

“I know a lot of the people who use the Bruxner daily are aware of their presence and slow down accordingly, but a lot of non-locals also use this road, and it’s great that signage is there to increase wider awareness.”

Ms Saffin said she was pleased to see Lismore City Council and other agencies working together on another koala protection measure.

“These groups will help with the installation of protective fencing to provide further protection on the corner of Tatham Road and the Bruxner Highway at Tatham,” Ms Saffin said.

“With funding from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, council plans to install 1.5km of fencing along both sides of the Bruxner Highway, commencing at the Pelican Creek Bridge and including the intersection and 120m of Tatham Road.

“A safe crossing point will also be constructed under Pelican Creek Bridge, along with fauna escape structures and koala grids which are similar to cattle grids. 

“This is great news for the motorists who use this road every day and for the koalas in the area. I’d like to thank Friends of the Koala for their advocacy and Lismore City Council for their support. I’m confident that with a combination of measures we can reduce the number of koala strikes on the highway and make the journey safer for all.”

Lismore Mayor Steve Kreig said, “This is good news and will improve safety for motorists and koalas along this section of the highway. This section of road has seen far too many koala fatalities, and I thank Transport for NSW for reducing speed in this area.

“Thanks to a State Government grant, Lismore City Council will also install a koala exclusion fence in this area to further reduce deaths. The fence is currently in the design phase.”

Friends of the Koala area coordinator, Ina Egermann said, “Friends of the Koala is very thankful to Transport for NSW for hearing our concerns and reducing the speed limit where we lose the biggest number of koalas due to car strikes in the Lismore City Local Government Area yearly. 

“Members of the public regularly call us about koalas in roadside trees, which causes sleepless nights wondering if they will be the next ones hit that we have to pick up.

“Many have supported us in this quest and lobbied over a long time, and we are hoping it will reduce the casualties along this stretch of road.”