Protecting wildlife at Cunninghams Gap

It might well be the ultimate tale of resilience – the recent spotting of four adult koalas, a joey, and a dingo in area undergoing extensive roadworks after being ravaged by bushfire.

Cunninghams Gap is nestled in the Main Range National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area, recognised for its exceptional biological diversity and ancient origins.

Protecting some of the last remaining significant southern subtropical rainforests, outcrops of the ancient Gondwana forests, the park is a critical conservation area.

But massive bushfires in 2019 destabilised the landscape and severely damaged a two-kilometre section of the Cunningham Highway at Cunninghams Gap.

Described as “Queensland’s largest reconstruction project”, the Cunninghams Gap reconstruction project on the gateway to the Southern Downs is restoring the damaged section of the highway.

Given the area’s environmental status, careful planning was essential for the complex engineering project to ensure works progressed while safeguarding endangered native species endemic to the region.

For example, koalas, who are nocturnal and most active between dusk and dawn, are particularly vulnerable near busy road corridors.

During breeding season, from August to February, the danger is amplified as koalas travel to mate and establish new territories, and joeys leave their mothers to find their own territory. 

To help protect the endangered icons, fauna spotter catchers were engaged during works to monitor koala behaviour and ensure safe passage if they came down from their trees.

Rockfall mesh was also further treated to close gaps to prevent wildlife, including koalas, climbing through.

Despite the dangers posed by bushfires and the roadworks these safeguards appear to be working as four adult koalas and a joey were recently spotted at Cunninghams Gap.

Demonstrating the success of environmental controls on the massive Cunninghams Gap reconstruction project, the recent find confirmed all five koalas are in good health.

Also benefitting from the protections afforded by the project is a lucky little red dingo dubbed “Bluey” who has made the Main Range National Park his home.

Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has been actively promoting the safety of the precious residents through a high-profile social media campaign, encouraging motorists to stay alert for wildlife on the move.

TMR has made significant progress on the Cunninghams Gap project to date, with work completed on scaling and stabilising the slope above the road to reduce the risk of rockfalls and installing 20,000m² of rockfall protection mesh. 

The project is due for final completion in early to mid-2027, weather permitting.

The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).