Tatham Koala Fence Project
| Funding |
Funding from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) |
| Department |
Environmental Strategies |
| Status |
Under construction |
| Timeframe |
Due for completion before the 2024 koala breeding season |
| Strategic purpose |
The Tatham Koala Exclusion Fence is designed to reduce the number of koala deaths and injury, on the corner of Tatham Road and Bruxner Highway, Tatham |
September 2024 update
The Tatham Koala Fence Project has officially commenced, following the appointment of Ecoteam, a local engineering and project management firm. An inception meeting with Ecoteam will be held to finalise the project’s timeline and the scope of construction.
August 2024 update
This project has been on hold following the 2022 natural disaster. The recovery of this flooding event has caused further delays due to project management constraints and availability, with Council now advertising for external project managers who can urgently take on this project. The announcement of a new project manager is expected to be made in September 2024, with an update on the scope and timeline of the project.
Council has been conversing with Friends of The Koala and Transport for NSW to lower the speed limit for this section of road, to reduce koala strikes.
Council is committed to the completion of this project, and are putting measures in place to minimise any future delays in conjunction with project partners.
About the project
Lismore City Council intends to erect a koala exclusion fence along a section of the Bruxner Highway at South Gundarimba, starting from Tatham Road approximately 12km west of Lismore.
The current project design includes installation of:
- 1.7km of fencing along both sides of the Bruxner Highway, including Tatham Road intersection
- 1.5km of fencing along Bruxner Highway, commencing at the Pelican Creek Bridge and including the intersection and 120m of Tatham Road.
- Safe crossing point under Pelican Creek Bridge
- Koala grids (similar to cattle grid) across three driveways
- Koala connectivity structures (fence crossing poles and escape structures)
Current Design
The 90% design has been reviewed and updated following feedback received through initial consultations. Feedback is welcome on these designs from landowners.
Key design updates:
The koala fence has been redesigned and proposed be constructed closer to the road reserve. In some cases, this will leave a 3m maintenance zone between the koala fence and existing property fencing. This zone will be maintained by Council.
Additionally, the feasibility of constructing an underpass at the fence's western end is under investigation to facilitate koala movement across the highway, thus mitigating fragmentation effects on local koala populations. This could involve the installation of either a box or round culvert.
Koala-proof fencing will redirect koalas away from busy road traffic, guiding them toward safe crossing points. One-way escape poles will also be strategically placed to enable koalas inadvertently entering roadside areas to find a route to safety.
Project Collaboration
The project has fostered collaboration among various stakeholders, including Lismore City Council, Friends of the Koala, Transport for NSW, and the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW), all working collectively to preserve our local koala population.
Changed traffic conditions
Speed is current 100km along this section of Bruxner Highway. Considerations are being made to lower this to 80kms for the duration of the project, from which it will be reviewed. A permanent speed reduction is being considered and discussed with TfNSW.
Please adhere to roadside signage during construction.
