In July this year, Council installed electronic signage and temporary lights on the Hinterland Way at Bangalow as part of a project to reduce the number of koalas being killed or hit by cars.

Have you noticed them? Do you slow down when you see the signs?

The five trailer-mounted solar lighting towers and two electronic message boards are in place on the Hinterland Way until January 2026.

They are in locations where koalas are known to cross the road, and these sections of The Hinterland Way are dark and near corners where lines of sight for drivers are poor.

It’s hoped that improved lighting will help drivers see koalas, and the signage will prompt them to slow down.

Jane Baldwin, Council’s Koala Project Officer, wants to get a feel for the impact of the lights and signage so far.

“Thankfully, there have been no koalas hit by cars in the last several months, but I am very interested in finding out if drivers are taking notice of the signs and are finding the lights useful,” Ms Baldwin said.

“In the last five years, there have been 18 koalas killed on the Hinterland Way. 

“Of the 30 hotspots for koala vehicle strikes in NSW, six are in the Byron Shire, so it’s really important that we do what we can to influence or change driver behaviour,” she said.

“I am really hoping people can take five minutes to do a simple survey on Your Say Byron Shire.

“All contributions and feedback are welcome, and we will use this information to improve future awareness programs,” Ms Baldwin said.

“And of course, the message for all drivers is to slow down and keep watch for koalas because they can dart onto the road very quickly,” she said.

The survey about the signs and lights on the Hinterland Way closes on 13 December 2025.