Dale Viola’s letter and the statistic of over 50 koala deaths on our Northern Rivers roads this year is horrific.
Council has confirmed at least 13 koala kills in Byron Shire in 2022. This isn’t corrupt corporations or governments, this is residents and visitors in our region killing native animals. Do you need to get somewhere quickly or don’t care enough to be aware? We need to change human behaviour. Koalas are endangered, at risk of extinction, and other species get killed or injured on our roads too; wallabies, birds, echidnas, lizards and snakes.
I support fencing and signs and anything else that gives species more safety – but humans need to act more responsibly. Government plans identifying the extinction crisis, and polices to save our species exist, but we need action now. Reducing the speed limit to 60km/h in mapped wildlife corridors, the areas we know animals use, would help.
With an election due, what will the next government do about this avoidable situation – will they reduce speed limits? Residents and visitors, please slow down, be aware and show that you care for our precious native animals. Politicians, do something effective to save our animal species – commit to lowering the speed limits in wildlife corridors.
Jan Barham
Broken Head
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
