A community group to the north of Brisbane is striving to ensure the survival of one of Australia's national emblems by launching the "Count-a-roo" program.

New housing estates have reduced kangaroo numbers in the northern suburb of North Lakes with locals worried that further development will decimate the population entirely.

The Mango Hill and North Lakes Environment Group's program sees volunteers mapping their local area to count kangaroo numbers.

Group member Alex Collins said the program allowed the kangaroo population to be documented and monitored.

"Development started in the area 15 years ago and has been rapid," he said.

"There was once a big population of kangaroos in the area but last year we only counted 19."

As part of the program, the group has segmented the region into zones to see where mobs reside and where fatalities occur.

"We have sightings often and you can see them right next to the shopping centre in the middle of the day at times," Mr Collins said.

"I believe everyone wants them to stay."

Volunteers spend an evening at dusk in a particular zone to count and monitor kangaroos in the area.

"We take down the time we see the kangaroo, what the kangaroo is doing and what zone it is in; this enables us to interpret numbers from there," Mr Collins said.

Kangaroos eating on a sports field close to nearby housing estates in Mango Hill, Brisbane. ( Supplied: Mango Hill and North Lakes Environment Group )

Future electronic signs

Mr Collins hopes the group can secure State Government funding to install electronic signs in the region to warn drivers when kangaroos are near.

The group needs $80,000 to roll out this next step of the 'Count-a-roo' program.

"The main problem in the area [is] the roads and traffic; we initiated the program to hopefully start a kangaroo sign trial," he said.

"Each kangaroo would be tagged and electronic signs would be installed on roads where kangaroo fatalities had been noted.

"When the tagged kangaroos hop close to the road, the tag would set off the electronic sign which would start flashing.

"It would work for other animals too including koalas and wallabies."