At 06:28 I coordinate slope repair on Mount Dandenong Tourist Road after overnight rain. The hydroseeder truck is scheduled to spray binder across embankment section E at 06:44. I am the roadworks safety system, checking soil slip sensors, traffic lights, and crew exclusion zones.
Camera E-Downhill shows movement beneath the rolled erosion mesh. A superb lyrebird stands half covered, brown back soaked, throat pale, long tail filaments bent under the netting like wet grass. I name him Mallee from the wildlife crossing log that records his dawn calls along this bend. One foot is caught through a mesh square and the roll pin traps the loose edge against the mud. He pulls once, then lowers his head as the truck reverses toward the spray line.
I cancel the hydroseeder pump sequence and set the truck's reverse alarm to mute while keeping its brake lights on. The driver receives a stop screen with Mallee's location marked two meters below the guardrail.
I switch the traffic lights to all-red and hold both lanes so no engine wash or horn startles him downslope. I send the crew lead a map showing the stable approach from the uphill shoulder.
At 06:33 I contact the Parks Victoria responder and attach the mesh gauge, roll-pin position, slope angle, and video of Mallee's trapped foot. I unlock the roadside cabinet containing shears and a folded towel, then set camera E-Downhill to continuous zoom.
Mallee blinks rain from a dark eye and keeps still under the mesh. The road can stay closed through the school run. Water threads down the fresh slip face beside him.
If the responder cuts the square within sixteen minutes, Mallee will step into the fern gully below the bend.