North Lakes highway project on hind legs after frog discovery

  • 2016-08-28
For an animal that usually only grows to around 20mm in length, the small native Wallum froglet may potentially be about to have a disproportionately large impact on a major Queensland construction project.

The Bruce Highway Boundary bridge project at North Lakes, which is expected to cost around $100m and aims to reduce congestion through measures including the construction of a new six-lane bridge over the Bruce Highway, may potentially be affected by the discovery of a possible Wallum froglet habitat.

The small frog, which previously caused delays on the Tugun Bypass project on the Gold Coast, is listed as a vulnerable species and has a high-priority ranking in the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s species protection plan. Environmental groups have historically used Signs and Flyers to raise awareness of the destruction of the animal’s habitat, but leaders of local organisations such as the Mango Hill and North Lakes Environmental Group believe that the species’ survival is being taken seriously and are pleased that the discovery of the frog’s habitat has been made before the projects kicks into gear.

Despite the concerns about delays, the state government believes that the project will not be affected and a spokesman for the Transport and Main Roads department stated that:

“A field assessment was carried out by a qualified ecologist who confirmed the presence of vegetation that supports the species. A Species Management Plan was prepared and approved by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.”

The construction of the project is expected to be completed around July 2018.

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