Here’s how we’re making a difference across our projects:
- Rescued and relocated wildlife: 14 microbats were relocated from the old Ironbark Creek bridge through the installation of bat boxes under the new Iron Bark Creek (Toohrnbing) bridge. Two Welcome Swallow nests were also rescued from the bridge works and taken by the Hunter Wildlife Rescue.
- Follow up inspection and reinstatement of exclusion controls
- Maximizing distance from the upcoming demolition works
- Boxes containing bats were wrapped w/ shade cloth and transferred to the new bridge
- Koala conservation and monitoring: Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) in Queensland tagged koalas in our Coomera Connector Stage 1 North project, allowing for clearance checks before vegetation removal. Heat-sensing drones were also used to detect and protect koalas and detect animal activity in hollows or spot untagged koalas at our projects in QLD Coomera Connector Stage 1 North and NSW Appin Road Project.
- Habitat protection and restoration: 128 nest boxes were installed at Spring Farm Parkway to compensate for habitat loss – accommodating possums to owls!
- Fauna Overpass and Koala Underpass: Our NSW projects at Appin Road and Mona Vale Road built new structures, helping to reduce vehicle strikes.
- Aquatic species protection: To safeguard native fish and turtles in the continuously flowing O’Connor Road waterway in the Toowoomba Regional Council Flood Recovery Project, a temporary clean water diversion was approved to maintain fish passage while an Aquabarrier was installed, with over 1000 native fish, silver and spangled perch were relocated, along with eels and turtles.
- Tusked Frog conservation and habitat monitoring. During a pre-clearance survey for our Toowoomba Regional Council Flood Recovery Project, a fauna spotter-catcher discovered a vulnerable, locally endemic Tusked Frog. Works were halted, and an exclusion zone was set while a High-Risk Species Management Plan was developed. Once approved, fauna specialists carefully removed the habitat by hand, relocating three Tusked Frogs in the process.
- Sustainable habitat repurposing: Hollow logs collected and donated to David Fleay’s Wildlife Park to provide shelter for native species.
- Collaborative conservation efforts: We’ve partnered with the Estuary Guardians Mandurah on the Mandurah Bridge duplication project to learn about the local dolphin population. Said to be about 85 in the Mandurah Estuary and surrounding waters, we recognise the importance of caring for the estuary and its fauna during our works.
From fauna overpasses to real-time rescue operations, we’re working hard to balance infrastructure with conservation. 🌱
As we celebrate World Wildlife Day, we reflect on how our projects are not just about building roads and bridges but also about protecting the environment and the wildlife that calls it home.
A huge thank you to our teams, project ecologists, and wildlife rescue partners for their ongoing dedication. Let’s continue working together to ensure that wildlife and infrastructure can co-exist. 🌱
