Groups lobby for lower speeds to protect wildlife

Koalas are among the animals frequently involved in road collisions in Marengo. Photo: JORDAN WHITT

WILDLIFE protection groups are pressuring government departments to implement new traffic restrictions on the Great Ocean Road to reduce the amount of roadkill.

Animals Australia and Otway Wildlife Group view the eight-kilometre stretch of road at Marengo, near Apollo Bay, as a hotspot for traffic collisions involving wildlife. They are subsequently urging Regional Roads Victoria (RRV) to lower the speed limits on the road.

The stretch of road starts opposite the Apollo Bay Water Reserve and the Marengo Flora Reserve and continues to Foran’s Track.

President of the Otway Wildlife Group in Apollo Bay Willie Bedford has been campaigning for a reduction in speed limits along the road for more than a decade.

Mr Bedford said many animals have been harmed during this time, with people’s safety also being compromised.

“With three school bus stops and tourists stopping frequently to take photos of koalas on the side of the road, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.

“Koalas are increasingly using the road as they move from Cape Otway to Apollo Bay in search of food and water, often walking along the road or sitting in the middle of the road. The lucky ones who are not hit have to be captured and translocated.

“This is extremely dangerous for wildlife rescuers when they try to stop cars travelling at 100kph so they can capture the koala.”

Animals Australia spokesperson Lisa Chalk said there was little doubt changing speed limits would improve the situation.

“It’s disappointing that local residents and wildlife groups continue to be ignored when the dangers to animals and the wider community have been made abundantly clear.

“Data from the Centre for Automotive Safety Research has clearly shown that a reduction of 10kph in speed reduces collisions by 20 per cent. It would only take vehicles 2.53 minutes longer to travel this section at the lower speed limit.

“We are calling on authorities to urgently review the speed limit at Marengo and listen to the concerns of local community groups.”