Campbelltown MP Greg Warren says this year has been one of the most deadly for koalas crossing Appin Road.
Mr Warren, pictured above at Appin Road, said he has given koala safety improvement work the priority attention that it needs and deserves.
“Consequently, we are seeing an acceleration of underpass construction and the installation of koala exclusion fencing as well as the exploration of other options,’’ he said this week.
“I continue to work collaboratively with WIRES, Lendlease, Campbelltown City Council and the Department of Planning to ensure that we are doing everything we possibly can to improve the safety of our wildlife.’’
To try and minimise koala injuries and deaths along with keeping motorists safe, Transport for NSW has now activated two electronic VMS signs to warn motorists to be on the lookout for animals wandering onto Appin Road.
The two new signs, one located northbound on Appin Road at Appin and the other southbound on Appin Road at Rosemeadow will operate 24 hours a day for the rest of the breeding season with the message “Watch out, koalas about”.
The new signs will complement existing koala warning signs along the road.
Meanwhile, Transport for NSW is progressing with additional measures to improve both koala and driver safety, with koala exclusion fencing to be constructed between Appin township and Beulah over the coming years.
This work will also feature a koala connectivity structure at Ousedale Creek.
In addition, the developer, Lendlease, is also constructing permanent koala safety measures as part of the road upgrade it is undertaking around Mount Gilead Estate.
This includes two koala underpasses at Noorumba Reserve and Beulah biobank site, supported by koala exclusion fencing and other measures.
Transport for NSW is also considering further interim measures to improve koala and driver safety along the road while the upgrades are being built.
“We recognise the conservation significance of the koala population in Sydney’s South West,’’ Mr Warren said.
“As one of the few thriving populations in the Greater Sydney area, we are committed to taking steps to reduce the rate of koala vehicle strikes along Appin Road.
“Each year we see an increase in koala activity over spring and summer as young koalas leave home in search of a habitat of their own.
“While we are developing those permanent solutions to reduce koala strikes along Appin Road, interim VMS signage will provide additional awareness for drivers in the area to be careful.’’
