OPINION
THE above headline was a comment on our Facebook page. It was in response to an article pushing for a speed limit reduction on a section of the Westernport Highway notorious for koala deaths (Push to reduce speed on Westernport Hwy after koala deaths, The News 24/2/26).
The very day this comment was made, the koala pictured above was killed on the same stretch of road.
The small section between Thornells Rd and the intersection of Oneills Rd and Mckirdys Rd is the area of greatest concern on a stretch of the highway that has seen 10 koalas killed this year, and 21 since Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation (MPKC) began recording deaths.
The organisation is calling for urgent action and is working with the shire hoping to reduce the speed limit along the stretch of road to 70kph to improve wildlife safety.
This commentor was not alone. Other comments include:
“Is there proof or were they just squished rabbits?”
“Is the 21 an estimate or is there proof? Animal groups are known to lie to make figures look better in their favour.”
“Joke right?”
“What about the bunny’s and possums??? Stop reducing the friggen speed limit everywhere!!! It’s a HIGHWAY not a local street!!!”
“70 on the Westo Hwy, that’s not good.”
“All these signs and I’ve only ever seen 1 koala on the road, dead or alive”.
“oh ffs…”
“Oh for gods sake, it’s becoming more and more of a nanny state every day. What are we going to have 40 zones just in case a koala or a duck or an indian myna come onto the road? What’s next our freeways? Get lost you greenies.”
“GET FKKDD! The speed limit has already been lowered. The speed limit has zero relevance to an animal being hit when the average driver doesn’t even try to avoid hitting an animal crossing the road.”
“It’s a highway not a suburban street. What a fkn joke this is”.
Addressing the comments, a post from MPKC said “Another koala was hit overnight, just before the flashing signs… If you think this is all a joke then imagine a koala with its face squashed in/ bloody and think of the impact this has on our wildlife rescuers who have to see this almost on a weekly basis. Not sure that anyone could think it’s ok to treat our wildlife like this! Un-Australian”.
The Mornington Peninsula is fortunate to have wonderful wildlife. But it seems some people think that it is not something to value.
Is it too much to ask for us to slow down a little for a short stretch of road to protect a creature that is considered endangered, and even critically endangered in some parts of our country?
Or it more important that we get where we need to go a minute or two earlier?
Let’s do everything we can to protect these creatures and have them flourish for generations to come.
First published in the Mornington News – 10 March 2026
