A political stoush over pelican poo has seen the Queensland Transport Minister intervene in the plight of a flock of pelicans on Bribie Island.

Key points: The Bribie Island community was angered metal rods were added to lights to prevent pelicans from roosting

The Bribie Island community was angered metal rods were added to lights to prevent pelicans from roosting Pelican poo affected the lights' efficiency and heat posed a danger to the birds

Pelican poo affected the lights' efficiency and heat posed a danger to the birds The cost of re-installing five old lights as roosts will cost about $50,000

Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads installed metal deterrent rods on top of 12 lights in April, and said pelican poo was affecting the newly installed LED lights' efficiency while heat from the lights posed a burn risk to the birds.

Community backlash led to a hundreds-strong protest march across Bribie island Bridge and a petition with 2,000 signatures was tabled in parliament by the LNP Member for Pumicestone, Simone Wilson.

Backlash over deterrent rods has led to the return of five old lights as roosting pads. ( Facebook: Pelicans of Bribie )

Following community outcry over the pelicans losing access to their familiar roosting spots, Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced this week that five of the old lights would be reinstalled as "innovative" new roosts to accommodate the birds.

"We're going to put five of those in spread out across the bridge," Mr Bailey said.

"And what they'll do is they'll point over the water — they won't be operational.

"So there's no issue about the lights being damaged by the pelicans but it will allow them to return to where everyone loves to see them."

The pelicans would roost on streets lights on Bribie Island Bridge. ( ABC News: Giulio Saggin )

The cost of re-installing the old lights as roosts would come to about $50,000, Mr Bailey said.

"It's a very modest cost … a very small amount of money to ensure the great pleasure of everyone on Bribie Island.

"They love their pelicans — they're a really important part of the local community and the fact that they'll still be able to roost, but in a really clever way.

"I think everyone's going to be happy about this one."

The announcement by Mr Baily was met with some relief by Christine Wilson, who has been at the forefront of the fight to return the pelicans and is the founder of the Facebook page Pelicans of Bribie.

Pelicans have been a feature on the island for decades. ( Facebook: Pelicans of Bribie )

She said the birds were loved by generations of Bribie residents and visitors.

"I've heard so many amazing stories from people who are incredibly sad," Ms Wilson said.

"Children who have been taught by their fathers how to count by the pelicans on that bridge.

"I'm happy that something has been done but I am concerned about the rods that have been left in place.

"The pelicans are still sitting on them, and I don't want to see the pelicans injured."

Ms Wilson said that even with the return of five of the old lights, the number of pelicans able to roost would be greatly reduced.

"It won't be the same — they can't all return."