Drivers are furious: See 'despicable' act sparking demands for major road changes!
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In the serene landscapes of Australia, a road known for its beauty has become a stage for tragedy and outrage.
The community is reeling after a recent incident that left wildlife advocates and locals calling for urgent action.
A driver's 'despicable' act, witnessed in broad daylight, has ignited a firestorm of demands for major road changes to protect our precious wildlife.
Like any other day, a man and his child travelled along Yankee Flat Road.
They witnessed a black Toyota Landcruiser strike a young female koala attempting to cross the bushland.
Jessica Robertson, president of Koala Alliance, recounted the harrowing, detailing how the driver did not even pause to check on the injured animal.
The witnesses were aghast, suspecting the act could have been intentional, as the vehicle did not slow down despite the clear visibility of the day.
The impact was so severe that the koala was sent flying meters into the air, a sight that left onlookers in shock.
The incident occurred near a koala crossing sign, ironically one that Robertson had installed to warn drivers.
Along with Gear Avenue in Mount Helen, this stretch of road is notorious for wildlife collisions, and the community has had enough.
Exhausted rescuers like Robertson are fed up with the constant carnage.
She has once again urged the City of Ballarat to take decisive action by lowering the speed limit on these roads to 60km/h and installing cameras.
Despite the current speed limit of 80 km/h, it's common for cars to barrel through at speeds reaching 100 km/h.
Robertson emphasised that this isn't an isolated incident; it's a persistent problem threatening the local koala population, which is already struggling due to limited habitat.
The situation is dire, and the need for accountability is evident.
Without evidence, such as speed cameras capturing these reckless acts, those responsible continue to evade consequences.
City of Ballarat Director of Infrastructure and Environment Bridget Wetherall confirmed that roadside signage was installed in January on Gear Avenue and Yankee Flat Road.
The project was done in partnership with Moorabool Shire, responsible for Yankee Flat Road.
‘We will also be collaborating with Ballarat Wildlife Rehabilitation & Conservation on the installation of virtual fencing after the group received a $32,000 grant from the State Government,’ she said.
Additionally, plans have been announced for virtual fencing, which emits sound and light to deter animals from crossing as cars approach.
However, Robertson remains sceptical, noting a lack of collaboration and communication regarding these measures.
The Department of Transport and Planning sets speed limits, and while the City of Ballarat can make submissions, they claim their assessments align with current speed zoning requirements.
Yet, the community's outcry suggests these requirements are insufficient to protect wildlife.
Koalas, an iconic symbol of Australia's unique fauna, face numerous challenges, including habitat loss, disease, and climate change.
In Victoria, they also contend with what Robertson describes as 'terrible attitudes' towards wildlife.
Some view these creatures as nuisances, lacking respect for their well-being.
‘There are some people out there that just think wildlife [is] a nuisance, unfortunately, and have no respect for them,’ Robertson said.
‘We saw a very similar case only last week… the witnesses were just traumatised because they were flagging the car down to stop, and they just ignored the people and ran over the koala. It’s not just in Ballarat. It’s happening across Victoria.’
Despite the Victorian government's estimate of 459,865 koalas in the state, the species is not listed as endangered as in other regions, such as NSW, Queensland, and ACT.
This means they lack the same level of federal protection under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC), leaving them vulnerable to the whims of reckless drivers and insufficient road safety measures.
The community's call to action is clear: it's time for change. It's time to respect and protect our wildlife and ensure that the roads we share with these creatures are safe.
Have you witnessed similar incidents? Do you believe more should be done to protect our wildlife on the roads? Let us know in the comments below, and together, let's advocate for a safer, more respectful coexistence with the natural world.
The community is reeling after a recent incident that left wildlife advocates and locals calling for urgent action.
A driver's 'despicable' act, witnessed in broad daylight, has ignited a firestorm of demands for major road changes to protect our precious wildlife.
Like any other day, a man and his child travelled along Yankee Flat Road.
They witnessed a black Toyota Landcruiser strike a young female koala attempting to cross the bushland.
Jessica Robertson, president of Koala Alliance, recounted the harrowing, detailing how the driver did not even pause to check on the injured animal.
A driver in Victoria's southeast hit a koala, sparking calls for road safety improvements. Credit: ArtyAlison / iStock
The witnesses were aghast, suspecting the act could have been intentional, as the vehicle did not slow down despite the clear visibility of the day.
The impact was so severe that the koala was sent flying meters into the air, a sight that left onlookers in shock.
The incident occurred near a koala crossing sign, ironically one that Robertson had installed to warn drivers.
Along with Gear Avenue in Mount Helen, this stretch of road is notorious for wildlife collisions, and the community has had enough.
Exhausted rescuers like Robertson are fed up with the constant carnage.
She has once again urged the City of Ballarat to take decisive action by lowering the speed limit on these roads to 60km/h and installing cameras.
Despite the current speed limit of 80 km/h, it's common for cars to barrel through at speeds reaching 100 km/h.
Robertson emphasised that this isn't an isolated incident; it's a persistent problem threatening the local koala population, which is already struggling due to limited habitat.
The situation is dire, and the need for accountability is evident.
Without evidence, such as speed cameras capturing these reckless acts, those responsible continue to evade consequences.
City of Ballarat Director of Infrastructure and Environment Bridget Wetherall confirmed that roadside signage was installed in January on Gear Avenue and Yankee Flat Road.
The project was done in partnership with Moorabool Shire, responsible for Yankee Flat Road.
‘We will also be collaborating with Ballarat Wildlife Rehabilitation & Conservation on the installation of virtual fencing after the group received a $32,000 grant from the State Government,’ she said.
Additionally, plans have been announced for virtual fencing, which emits sound and light to deter animals from crossing as cars approach.
However, Robertson remains sceptical, noting a lack of collaboration and communication regarding these measures.
The Department of Transport and Planning sets speed limits, and while the City of Ballarat can make submissions, they claim their assessments align with current speed zoning requirements.
Yet, the community's outcry suggests these requirements are insufficient to protect wildlife.
Koalas, an iconic symbol of Australia's unique fauna, face numerous challenges, including habitat loss, disease, and climate change.
In Victoria, they also contend with what Robertson describes as 'terrible attitudes' towards wildlife.
Some view these creatures as nuisances, lacking respect for their well-being.
‘There are some people out there that just think wildlife [is] a nuisance, unfortunately, and have no respect for them,’ Robertson said.
‘We saw a very similar case only last week… the witnesses were just traumatised because they were flagging the car down to stop, and they just ignored the people and ran over the koala. It’s not just in Ballarat. It’s happening across Victoria.’
Despite the Victorian government's estimate of 459,865 koalas in the state, the species is not listed as endangered as in other regions, such as NSW, Queensland, and ACT.
This means they lack the same level of federal protection under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC), leaving them vulnerable to the whims of reckless drivers and insufficient road safety measures.
The community's call to action is clear: it's time for change. It's time to respect and protect our wildlife and ensure that the roads we share with these creatures are safe.
Have you witnessed similar incidents? Do you believe more should be done to protect our wildlife on the roads? Let us know in the comments below, and together, let's advocate for a safer, more respectful coexistence with the natural world.
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