Connector a ‘threat’ to species

COOMERA Connector protesters say 200 koalas will die if the road goes ahead through the southern corridor.

New group “Residents Against Second M1 – Save Gold Coast Koalas” plan to demonstrate outside Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon’s Nerang office.

The planned Second M1 route cuts through approximately 98ha of koala habitat.

Protest organiser Tom Andraszek said the demonstration was a “last resort” for concerned residents.

“There should be places where koalas will be guaranteed refuge,” he said. “Most of the koalas we have tried to resettle in the past just died.

“Wildlife bridges are a great idea (when) they’re moving from one area to another, from north to south.

“In the case of this corridor I don’t know how they would work because the road would basically take the (entire) section where they live.”

A report into the project in 2020 revealed the potential impact to individual koalas and local koala populations was “likely to be significant”, leading to “displacement” and “disruption” for the animals.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has proposed “koala bridges” and underpasses.

Wildlife fences which would stop koalas and other animals from climbing on to the roadway are also being trialled along sections of the roadway.

But TMR believes just 40 koalas are inside the construction zone.

“Based on that, we have developed a draft Koala Management Plan to proactively manage impacts to koala habitat at Helensvale and Parkwood.”

The draft plan attempts to minimise impact on koalas via motorway crossings, fencing, disease programs and ongoing surveys of the population.

The protest will be held outside Ms Scanlon’s electoral office on Wednesday.