What’s happening?
A petition has been launched by the Darling Downs Environment Council following the death of a mother koala in Highfields on 20 August, which left her joey Hazel orphaned. The petition, titled “Protect Koalas and Wildlife in the Downs – Act Now!”, is calling for urgent wildlife protection measures across the Darling Downs and Lockyer regions.
A press conference has been scheduled for 26 August at 11am at West Toowoomba Veterinary Surgery, 357 West Street, Harristown. It will be attended by the Darling Downs Environment Council, Christine Burke, and local community members.
Why it matters
Wildlife carers and residents are reporting more koalas being killed in known habitat areas such as Highfields, Meringandan, and Crows Nest. Local councils and state agencies have not yet implemented the targeted protection strategies that are already in place in other parts of Queensland.
“Hazel’s story is heartbreaking, but sadly it’s not unique,” said Ahri Tallon, spokesperson for the Darling Downs Environment Council. “We’re seeing more koalas hit by cars every year, and the solutions are already out there—our region just hasn’t acted on them.”
Local impact
The Queensland Government has a Koala Conservation Strategy for South East Queensland, which has delivered positive results in coastal regions. However, this strategy does not currently extend to much of the Darling Downs or Lockyer Valley, despite the presence of koalas and the rising threats they face.
By the numbers
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1 joey orphaned – Hazel’s mother was killed by a car in Highfields on 20 August.
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3 key hotspots – Highfields, Meringandan, and Crows Nest are areas where koalas are being hit by vehicles.
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5 local councils – Toowoomba, Lockyer Valley, Southern Downs, and Western Downs Regional Councils, alongside state agencies, are being called on to act.
Zoom in
The petition is calling for local councils to develop Koala Conservation Strategies, which would identify habitat, map strike hotspots, and implement proven measures. It also seeks urgent installation of AI-informed variable message signs at known strike zones, permanent wildlife signage and road markings, and inclusion of wildlife-friendly infrastructure such as underpasses, rope bridges, and fencing in road upgrades.
Other measures include wildlife-vehicle strike hotspot mapping, dedicated regional fauna infrastructure funding, improved reporting and emergency response systems, annual roadkill reporting, and education and driver awareness campaigns. The petition also asks councils to declare Wildlife Emergency Zones in key corridors to strengthen planning controls and lower speed limits.
Zoom out
At a state level, the petition calls on the Queensland Government to expand the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy to apply statewide and to prioritise the Darling Downs and Lockyer regions for urgent funding and intervention.
What to look for next?
The press conference will take place on 26 August at West Toowoomba Veterinary Surgery in Harristown. The petition is available online at ddec.org.au/koala-petition.