HELPING TURTLES GET TO THE OTHER SIDE
Published: February 4, 2010, 8:00 am
Helping a local population of turtles cross the road and get safely to the other side was the genesis for the new turtle-crossing signs being installed in Gungahlin, Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Jon Stanhope, said today.
The four signs will be erected next month on Horse Park Drive near Yerrabi Pond and the Forde wetlands.
Mr Stanhope said the issue was first raised with him by a caller during the Chief Minister's talkback segment on 666 ABC radio.
"The caller was concerned about the fate of several Eastern Long-necked Turtles recently seen crossing Horse Park Drive in Gungahlin," Mr Stanhope said. "He asked if warning signs could be installed to alert motorists to the turtles in the area."
As a result of the call, Mr Stanhope asked TAMS officers to inspect the area and to install the turtle-crossing signs. The signs, which cost a combined $1000, feature a silhouette of a turtle.
"The warning signs will alert motorists to the presence of turtles in the area and remind them to slow down," Mr Stanhope said. "This is the first time turtle-crossing signs have been used in the ACT."
Mr Stanhope said the Government had previously installed warning signs for kangaroos, ducks, horses, magpies and koalas in known hot spots throughout the ACT.
"One of the benefits of living in Canberra is the proximity of our urban environment to bushland and lakes," Mr Stanhope said. "However this can also mean that we have to share our roads, and even our backyards, with a variety of wildlife.
"Drivers need to be alert to the presence of wildlife, take note of the warning signs and slow down in known hot spots."
Turtles are most likely to be seen crossing roads after heavy rain as they move between different ponds.
Reports of injured wildlife can be made to Canberra Connect on 13 22 81.
Oh, this is definately a *facepalm*.....