Since 2020, residents of Gippsland have been sharing information via Friends of the Strzelecki Koala Facebook Group regarding locations of koala hit by vehicles. This information has also been added to Friends of the Earth's Strzelecki koala map. Anthony Amis has recently collated this information and has written this blog sharing this issue. It is likely that the roadkill statistics, gathered by the community, understates the enormity of the problem as not all koala incidents are likely to have been reported.

It is clear from the information that the 'centre' of the roadkill statistics are located near the South Gippsland township of Meeniyan. Not only have koalas been killed by vehicles in the main street of the town, but roads leading into the town have recorded higher numbers of koala deaths and injuries. It is also clear that the South Gippsland Highway between Leongatha, Koonwarra, Meeniyan and Stony Creek is a major koala road kill problem area with 30 koalas being killed along this stretch of highway between 2020-2025.

A key issue regarding survival of koala populations is lack of native vegetation and connecting corridors. In many areas, the only remnant vegetation is in close proximity to roadsides. In complex koala societies, dominant males breed with a number of females over territories of varying size. The animals will have a home range with a number of favourite and 'home' trees. Moving to favourite trees means the koalas have to move along the ground or roads to get to the specific trees. Young male koalas also have to disperse at a certain age and find new habitat to form a colony of their own. They may wander for some distances.  On the ground, koalas will come into contact with roads and this is the key problem. Most koalas will come off their trees during the night. Drivers can be startled by koalas moving quickly onto a road. The higher speed the vehicle is moving the less chance of avoiding hitting a koala.

Lowering speed limits in key problem areas would be useful. Speed limits on the Princes Highway near Morwell and Hernes Oak are 110kmph, with speed limits along South Gippsland Highway generally 100kmph.  Meeniyan has a speed limit of 40kmph in the town, but even that has not stopped all koala deaths within the town. Some roads near Meeniyan in key problem areas have 100kmph speed limits which is too high. As an urgent priority speed limits along Meeniyan-Promontory Road and Meeniyan-Mirboo North roads should be reduced, particularly at night.

Better signage may also be of use. Koala and animals warning signs are present in a few of the hotspot areas, but how aware are drivers if the existing signs are not properly stopping koala deaths? Some existing signs may also be in areas where koalas were present some years ago, but are not prevalent currently. A more flexible approach to signing may be needed. An education campaign would also be useful, particularly in terms of educating drivers to slow down in key koala areas. Koalas are also more likely to be in areas close to drainage lines and where Preferred Koala Feed Trees are present. These areas could also be a key to reducing koala mortality on roads.

Another option is also looking at methods which may help animals move off roads or not walk on roads at all. These methods can be expensive and the scale of the issue in Gippsland means that these devices may have to be set up in multiple locations.

This page will be updated and edited as new information comes to hand

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Strzelecki koala observed in January 2026 in a tree located on the edge of Meeniyan-Mirboo North Road.

Top Ten Strzelecki Koala Roadkill hotspots 2020-2025

The Meeniyan area has five of the top ten 'hotspots'. It is likely that the soils in the Meeniyan region are nutrient rich which partially explains koala numbers in the area (20 koalas have been sighted by local residents at Meeniyan, Stony Creek and Buffalo in the first week of 2026). Key Preferred Koala Feed Trees, Mountain Grey Gum, Blue Gum and Strzelecki Gum are also found in the region. However what is evident is lack of connectivity in the landscape with much of the remaining native vegetation occurring along roadsides. A coordinated revegetation program aimed at connecting core koala habitat in the area is sorely needed. A key is the South Gippsland Rail Trail which is already providing koalas with an impressive corridor through the region. Revegetation should also be concentrated away from roads.

Roadkill statistics according to reports from local residents and campaigners between 2020-2025.

Strzelecki Koala Roadkill Hotspots 2020-2025

1. South Gippsland Highway, Tarwin

5 deaths recorded over a 500 meter section of the South Gippsland Highway (four within 200 meters of the corner of Lower Tarwin Road). 1 death in 2020, 2 deaths in 2024, and 2 deaths in 2025. A koala death every 100 meters of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging  0.8 deaths per year since February 2020.  Riskiest month: May (2).

Intersection of Lower Tarwin Road and South Gippsland Highway Tarwin. This intersection is about 2.5km west of Meeniyan. South of the intersection is the Tarwin Bushland Reserve and north is native vegetation linked to the Great Southern Rail Trail. Surveys in 2016 by Anthony Amis revealed high numbers of scats in both areas.

2. Princes Freeway, Morwell

5 deaths recorded over a 500 meter section of the Princes Freeway where it crosses the Morwell River. 1 death in 2020, 1 death in 2021, 1 death in 2022, 1 death in 2024 and 1 in 2025. A koala death every 100 meters of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging 0.8 deaths per year since 2020.  Riskiest months: February (2) and December (2).

The freeway crosses the Morwell River where alot of work has gone revegetating Morwell River Wetlands. The Morwell River also contains Strzelecki Gum which were first identified by Phillips/Wallis 2016 as being a Preferred Koala Feed Tree. Perhaps a wildlife tunnel would be a good idea at this location.

3. Whitelaw Street, Meeniyan

7 deaths recorded over a 1km section of Whitelaw Street. 4 deaths in 2020, 1 death in 2021, and 2 in 2025. A koala death every 140 meters of Whitelaw Street over the 6 year period, averaging 1.2 deaths per year since January 2020. Highest risk areas near MacDonald Street (3) and Royston Street (4). Riskiest months: January (2) & February (2)

Meeniyan's main street is Whitelaw Street which joins the South Gippsland Highway. There is a 40km speed limit in the town. 2 koalas have also been killed on the South Gippsland Highway 1km from the entry to the west side of town on the South Gippsland Highway. 

4. Mardan Road, Mardan

5 deaths recorded over 2.2km section of Mardan Road just east and west of Mardan. 1 death in 2020, 2 deaths in 2023 and 2 deaths in 2024. A koala death every 440 meters of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging 0.8 deaths per year since 2020.  Riskiest month: December (2).

Mardan Road is surrounded mainly by farmland with a narrow strip of native vegetation along the 'most perilous' section. Mardan is located 6.5km north of Dumbalk.

5. Meeniyan-Promontory Road, Meeniyan/Stony Creek

12 deaths recorded over a 5.5km section of the road from the South Gippsland Highway Turnoff between 2020-2025. 2 deaths in 2020, 3 deaths in 2022, 1 death in 2023, 3 deaths in 2024 and 3 deaths in 2025. A koala death every 500 meters of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging 2 deaths per year since January 2020. Highest risk areas are near Hewett Street (3) and Hartley Road (4). Riskiest months: January (3), June (3), September (2).

Meeniyan-Promontory Road near Stony Creek, 2.5km south east of Meeniyan. Remnant vegetation on roadsides acting as sole koala corridors and drainage lines/creeks crossing roads appear to be koala death 'hotspots'. Vegetation along Meeniyan-Promontory Road was also heavily impacted by recent storms.

6. Meeniyan-Mirboo North Road, Meeniyan/Dumbalk

8 deaths recorded over a 5km section of the Meeniyan-Mirboo North Road between 2018 & 2025. 1 death in 2018, 3 deaths in 2019, 1 death in 2020, 2 deaths in 2024 and 1 death in 2025. A koala death every 600 metres of this section of road over an 8 year period, averaging 1 death per year since September 2018.  Riskiest month: September (2).

Koala observed in this Strzelecki Gum in January 2026 on roadside of Meeniyan-Mirboo North. Reports first started coming in regarding this road in 2018. 3 deaths were recorded in 4 months near McVicars Road in 2019.

7. Princes Freeway, Hernes Oak

5 deaths recorded over 3km section of the Princes Freeway near Hernes Oak. 2 deaths in 2021, 1 death in 2023, 1 death in 2024 and 1 death in 2025. A koala death every 600 meters of this section of Freeway over the 6 year period, averaging of 1 death per year since 2021.  Riskiest month: November (2).

Hernes Oak has a bluegum plantation/'carbon sink' in on the southern side of the Freeway. There is also native vegetation corridor south of MacDonalds Track in close proximity to Witts Gully Reservoir. Native vegetation also extends 1.5km on the northern side of the Freeway.

8. Highland Highway, Gormandale

5 deaths recorded over a 5km section of the Highland Highway north of Gormandale. 1 death in 2021, 1 death in 2023, 1 death in 2024 and 2 deaths in 2025. A koala death every 1km of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging 1 death per year since 2021.  Riskiest month: July (2).

A portion of this roadside to the east borders native forest and the Gormandale Flora Reserve. The western side of the road is largely native forest. A large area of bluegums was also logged by Hancock Victorian Plantations in recent years. 30 koalas from these bluegum plantations were 'relocated' elsewhere and some perhaps were attempting to make their way back before attempting to cross the Hyland Highway. 

9. South Gippsland Highway, Stony Creek

6 deaths recorded over a 7km section of the South Gippsland Highway. 1 death in 2021, 4 deaths in 2023, and 1 in 2025. A koala death every 1.2km of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging 1.2 deaths per year since September 2021.  Riskiest months: February (3) and September (2).

The South Gippsland Highway coming into Meeniyan from the east. 3 koalas were killed near this location in February 2023. Preferred koala feed trees are located near the road. The road also crosses the Southern Rail Trail.

10. South Gippsland Highway, Koonwarra/Leongatha (from Beilbys Road)

8 deaths recorded over a 7km section of the South Gippsland Highway (including 3km east of Koonwarra). 1 death in 2021, 1 death in 2022, 1 death in 2023 and 5 deaths in 2024. A koala death every 1.4km of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging 2 deaths per year since April 2021.  Riskiest months: February (2) and May (2).

South Gippsland Highway near Beilby's Road, 4km south of Leongatha. A private bush block can be seen on the right of this image. 3 koalas have been killed near this block between 2021-24.

11. Nereena Road, Dumbalk

6 deaths recorded over a 11km section of Nereena Road. 2 deaths in 2020, 1 death in 2023, 2 deaths in 2024 and 1 in 2025. A koala death every 1.8km of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging 1 death per year since March 2020.  Riskiest month: October (2).

Nereena Road crosses the Tarwin River near Dumbalk. Three koala deaths were reported between the Tarwin River and Dumbalk. Three others were reported along the road which has narrow corridors of native vegetation.

12. Monash Way, between Churchill & south of Yinnar

5 deaths recorded over 11km section of Mardan Road from Churchill to Bellbrook Creek. 1 death in 2020, 1 death in 2021 and 3 deaths in 2024. A koala death every 2.2km of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging of 0.8 deaths per year since 2020.  Riskiest month: December (2).

Monash Way crosses Billy Creek and in places is only 2km from Morwell National Park, the genetic 'stronghold' of the Strzelecki koala. At the location in this photo near Billy Creek a number of koala fatalities were recorded prior to 2015. Sparse native vegetation occurs in some locations of the Highland Highway, with corridors occurring south of Yinnar through to Boolara

13. Bass Highway, between Leongatha and Inverloch

6 deaths recorded over 16.4km section of the Strzelecki Highway (between Hillgroves Road, Leongatha and Stuchberry Road, Inverloch). 1 death in 2021, 4 deaths in 2022 and 1 death in 2026. A koala death every 2.7km of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging of 1 deaths per year since 2021.  Riskiest month: August (3). 3 deaths were recorded between Stuchberry and Wallis Road in August 2022 - a koala death every 656 metres (3 in one month).

Another koala was killed along the Bass Highway in January 2026.

14. Strzelecki Highway, between Mirboo North and Leongatha

7 deaths recorded over 20km section of the Strzelecki Highway (starting 3 km west of Mirboo North and 1km east of Leongatha). 1 death in 2022, 1 death in 2023, 2 deaths in 2024, 2 in 2025 and 1 in 2026. A koala death every 2.9km of this section of road over the 6 year period, averaging of 1.75 deaths per year since 2022.  Riskiest month: March (3).

Patches of native vegetation 'hug' the Strzelecki Highway in sections. The highway is also in close proximity to the Tarwin River West Branch which would act as a corridor. The highway also crosses Berry Creek which may also act as a corridor.

All koala deaths are mapped on the Strzelecki Koala Map

You can report koala sightings, koala roadkill and koala scats by emailing Anthony Amis [email protected]

If you feel inspired to donate to SKAT you can do so here.