Regular users of the Petrie to Kippa-Ring shared path near Dohles Rocks Road are being invited to help shape a Queensland-first koala-safety trial, with feedback sought on how the new automated gate works in everyday conditions and where similar gates could be considered next.
The automated gate has been installed after koalas from nearby bushland were found using the pathway to reach Dohles Rocks Road rather than the existing purpose-built wildlife underpass.
CCTV monitoring has tracked ongoing koala access at the location. Koalas using the pathway to cross Dohles Rocks Road have died on the road, while wildlife entering traffic also creates a safety risk for drivers.
The trial is designed to tackle that problem without removing access for people who walk, cycle or use mobility devices along the shared path.
A Different Experience After Dark
For most daytime users, the gate will remain out of the way. It stays open between 4am and 10pm, including peak active transport periods.
Overnight, when koalas are most active, the gate closes. Infrared sensors detect approaching cyclists and other path users and automatically trigger it to open.
The settings are designed to detect objects larger than a koala and minimise the chance of wildlife activating the gate. Cyclists should not need to stop or dismount, although they may need to reduce their speed when approaching after dark.
Once triggered, the gate stays open for about one minute. That timer resets whenever another user activates the sensors, allowing several people to pass through.
Pedestrians can wave a hand over sensor pads on either side of the gate to open it. The design also provides access for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and double prams.
Keeping Koalas Away From Dohles Rocks Road
The gate works with fauna fencing already in place around the shared path.
That fencing has been extended at the site so koalas and other wildlife cannot simply move around the gate and reach Dohles Rocks Road. Instead, the fencing is intended to direct animals towards the existing wildlife underpass, which includes features suited to koalas.
Signs and pavement markings are being installed around the gate for path users. The area is already well lit and has existing CCTV coverage.
The system also includes battery backup. During a power failure or other fault, the gate is designed to default to an open position in most instances so the pathway remains accessible.
Local Experience Will Help Shape What Happens Next
The project is not simply asking people whether they like the idea. Feedback is being sought on how the gate actually performs during regular trips along the path.
Users can report problems with its operation, suggest changes and raise any safety concerns they encounter. Feedback is also being sought on whether its opening and closing times are appropriate and whether the gate remains open long enough for people passing through.
Koala sightings can also be reported, including instances where an animal is seen passing through while the gate is open.
Residents can suggest other locations where a similar gate could be considered, giving the trial a possible role in determining whether the concept is suitable for other places where wildlife accesses roads from pathways.
Photos can be added with feedback through Your Say Moreton Bay. Submitted photos are moderated before publication, which may take up to two business days, and contributors must be registered members of the platform.
The consultation page currently displays two different closing details. Its contribution section is marked as open until 11:59pm on 21 September 2026, while accompanying information says feedback closes at 5pm on Monday 28 September 2026.
City of Moreton Bay has indicated that lessons from the trial could inform how similar gates operate and where they may be considered in future.
Published 18-August-2026
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