THE Department of Transport and Main Roads has responded to concerns about the welfare of wildlife when hazardous vegetation removal takes place on the Warwick Allora road.

A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said the removal of vegetation within the road corridor would provide an increased safe zone to accommodate driver error, increase sight distance and reduce potential crashes.

"Vegetation marked for clearance has been carefully assessed by our environmental officers and will involve undertaking the minimum clearance of vegetation to reduce the impact on local flora and fauna,” she said.

The spokeswoman responded to concerns raised by Southern Down residents about the potential impact on wildlife, after a number of trees were "marked” with ribbons in February.

Some residents were under the impression that trees marked with pink tape (of which there looked to be about 50) would be removed.

However the spokeswoman said only vegetation marked with green, blue and orange tape would be removed.

Southern Downs Regional Council has been contracted by TMR to complete the works.

"Workers will be assisted by professional wildlife spotters and catchers before and during the works to ensure wildlife is safely captured and relocated,” the TMR spokeswoman said.

The works are due for completion by May 4, and the speed limit along some sections of road will be reduced to 40 kilometres per hour between 7am and 5pm.

Earlier:

Pratten resident Marianne Irvine travels along the road regularly and is concerned about for the welfare of local wildlife since ribbons appeared.

"That is koala habitat and I have seen koalas not far from there,” she said.

"Koalas have a fairly large ranging area so it would certainly be an area they utilise.”

Ms Irvine said she was also worried about the impact on the region's aesthetic values.

"Who wants to drive on roads where no trees exist, or very few, plus removal of vegetation means wildlife could try to use the road and someone is then at risk of hitting them.

"Someone needs to stand up for the values that council are supposed to put on the scenic areas we all moved to this area to enjoy.”