Shire to assess need for wildlife warning signs

THE Surf Coast Shire will run traffic assessments on four of its local roads to see if they need better signage warning of kangaroos and other wildlife, in response to a petition.

Lodged at the shire’s September meeting, the 44-signature petition urged the shire to rectify the lack of signs on Duffields Road, Great Ocean Road, Bells Boulevard, Bones Road, Jarosite Road, Addiscott Road and surrounding areas.

“Currently, wildlife in these areas have started increasing due to their natural migratory patterns being disrupted by the expanse of urban development in the area and an increase in traffic, noise and light pollution,” the petition stated.

“This poses a significant threat to local and native fauna species and is also a major safety concern for drivers (both local and visitor) who may be unaware of the fluctuation of wildlife (especially kangaroos).”

In the report presented to councillors at their December 9 meeting, officers stated the shire only installed kangaroo/wildlife signs where known kangaroo and wildlife migratory routes intersected with roads, in line with Australian Standards and Department of Transport and Planning guidelines.

The shire’s road strategy team receives requests for new kangaroo/wildlife signs on local roads throughout the municipality on a regular basis.

But, the report noted that putting in more warning signs may not solve the problem, citing research that “40 per cent of drivers do not pay attention to conventional wildlife warning signs and it has limited to no effect on changing driver behaviour or lowering vehicle speeds on local roads”.

“Increasing the number of wildlife warning signs on local roads has been found to decrease the effectiveness of such signs as drivers become used to them and ignore them.”

Councillors resolved to undertake traffic assessments on Duffields Road, Bones Road, Jarosite Road and Addiscott Road to determine wildlife signage requirements in accordance with Australian Standards and DTP guidelines and, pending the findings of the assessments, adjust wildlife signage to meet those guidelines.

Cr Pattison, who moved the motion, said there were several community members concerned about wildlife being injured on Surf Coast roads, but also referred to the research about the effectiveness of the signage.

“It’s good and it’s bad that we’re putting more signage out because we want to do what we can… but also this petition has escalated within the community, the council, and councillors the need to really look at how we are managing that. I think it’s opening that broader question.”

She said using variable messaging boards on roads with wildlife might cost more but could ultimately be more effective.

Cr Phoebe Crockett thanked the petitioners for highlighting the issue.