General News
22 July, 2026
Road signs to warn of deer crossing
DEER road warning signs will be erected in the Koah area of the Kennedy Highway after the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) ceded to public pressure for their installation.
Mareeba Shire Deputy Mayor told the council meeting last week that the council’s Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) had been advised that signs would now be placed in the Koah area.
“We have had a good outcome,” Cr Wyatt said.
The danger of feral deer near Koah was highlighted on social media recently after a large deer was photographed dead on the side of the road after it had been struck.
The animal had been visible for about a week as a grisly reminder to passing traffic.
Local driver and social media campaigner Michael Musumeci said the issue had been ongoing for a long time and he was pleased with the TMR decision.
“After running a highly successful social media campaign that attracted an overwhelming amount of people who have had so many near misses, collisions and rollovers involving deer at this location, it is commendable that the TMR have decided to install deer warning signage,” he said last week.
“A massive thanks goes out to everyone who made contact, and that the previous excuse of sign fatigue is no longer supported.”
In a response to The Express last month, TMR denied it had received any “reports or complaints regarding feral deer posing a risk to road users on the Tablelands”.
“But we will work with relevant agencies to assess whether additional measures are required in the Koah and Speewah area,” a spokesperson had said.
At a previous meeting, council officers had said they had approached TMR over the matter.
Cr Wyatt confirmed last week that the TAC had also had a “year-long agenda item relating to deer signage in the Koah and Clohessy River area”.
“We’ve been pushing for that, obviously, through the official channels,” she said.
“We’ve also had Cr (Amy) Braes, who brought it to our attention, working with the Speewah Residents Association and the Speewah Fire (service), because they have concerns about the deer that are in that back areas behind the Speewah-Koah area. It’s quite hilly and there’s quite a population there.
“We’ve also had a lot of community upheaval in relation to the deer – there has been strikes and there has been cars that have been hit, and it’s a very known area.”
Cr Wyatt said after a “lot of consideration” and a lot petitioning from the community, TMR had “come back to us and they will be putting up the deer signage and we acknowledge everyone who helped along the way”.
Should anyone encounter an injured animal, they can contact FNQ Wildlife Rescue on 4053 4467. If a deceased animal is causing a road hazard, contact 13 19 40 or police on 131 444.
