Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House serious concerns regarding the rapid expansion of urban development in Queensland which is causing an alarming increase in vehicle strikes involving our native wildlife listed and protected under State and Federal environment legislation, and those species which are locally significant. Population growth projections indicate vehicle strikes involving fauna will continue to increase until 'fauna-friendly' infrastructure is installed, or species are pushed to the point of localised extinctions. Increasing vehicle strikes and 'near misses' are likely to result in increasing motorist casualties and property damage. It is estimated that to incorporate 'fauna-friendly' infrastructure (such as wildlife overpasses/underpasses, rope bridges, fencing etc) in all new road infrastructure projects would add no more than 2% – 4% to project costs. This minimal expenditure translates into a significant number of additional jobs. We also call for the region’s road network to be treated as a 'One Road Network'. We note that development industry profits are made off the back of habitat loss and wildlife deaths. These costs can no longer be externalised to the environment and must be responsibly apportioned.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House urge the Premier to mandate the provision of 'fauna friendly' infrastructure as above. We remind all Members that fauna deaths associated motorist casualties and property damage is likely to continue to rise, we therefore request this issue be urgently addressed and enacted prior to the state election in 2020.