You may remember the story of the Koala called Ely that was hit by a car crossing Dayboro Road near the Petrie Quarry in July 2008.

The story went around the world, not just because the Koala amazingly survived, but because of the ordeal he had to go through in order to survive.  Ely travelled more than 12km with his head stuck in the grill of a car at speeds of up to 100km/hr, until someone made the driver aware of the situation.  The shocked driver called the Moreton Bay Koala Rescue group for help.  Eight year-old Ely was rushed to the Australian Wildlife Hospital, where vets found no sign of serious injury.  He was a very lucky Koala!  Around 900 Koalas every year are treated at the hospital and most of them have been hit by cars or attacked by dogs, and around 45 per cent of them die of their injuries or from shock.
Boral Quarries is an active member of the Petrie community and has been working towards koala conservation goals in the Moreton Bay Region for some time.  The long-term development of Boral’s Petrie Quarry provides a net benefit for koalas over the life of the quarry.  The development plans build on the extensive koala conservation work undertaken by Boral at the site over the last 15 years, which includes a koala fodder plantation.  This koala fodder plantation provides feed for koalas at Australia Zoo and the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Australian Wildlife Hospital and for koalas being cared for in their homes by registered wildlife carers.
More recently, Boral has taken a Koala Safety initiative by building a fence and underpass, where Dayboro Road crosses with a wildlife corridor. The fence directs native fauna towards the underpass, allowing safe crossing to the other side.
Steve Pyne, General Manager SEQ Quarries, said:  “Ely’s story has reinforced the acute need to protect other Koalas from similar ordeals, where roads intercept with fauna corridors”.  The new fence and underpass will significantly reduce the chance of further injuries to koalas and other native wildlife in this location.  The work on the fence and underpass started in July 2009 and was completed in September 2009.  This is an excellent example of industry balancing its needs whilst minimising impacts on the natural environment and the community.