Opponents of the Pacific Highway upgrade are taking a creative approach to highlighting the dangers being faced by native animals, especially along Old Bagotville Road and the Blackwall Range.
They are creating a short film using dancers, some with disabilities, to show how animals such as koalas and wallabies are struggling to adjust to man-made changes to their habitat as the new highway carves its way through their homes.
Choreographer Sue Whiteman, a long-time resident of the area, said fences and animal traps along the proposed highway route were proving dangerous for local wildlife.
She said her group wanted to raise awareness of the 36 endangered species living in the Ballina Shire who would be displaced due to the highway upgrade.
She said the work carried out by the RMS so far showed the lack of true understanding and concern for the environment.
‘The RMS inspired film will show their lack of concern for all residents affected by the Highway – highlighting the plight of the Australian wildlife and local endangered species and show how their man-made structures, costing thousands of dollars, but built very ‘shabby’, constructed without any consultation with local residents, have upset the whole community,’ she said.
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