With koala breeding season now under way and wildlife activity set to increase through the warmer months, a new wildlife underpass at Noorumba Reserve is giving koalas and other native animals a safer way to cross Appin Road.
The 52m underpass is the first of three planned along Appin Road, allowing wildlife to pass beneath the road keeping animals and motorists safely separated.
The new underpass has been designed to also accommodate large animals such as kangaroos and wallabies, while logs, habitat features and native vegetation encourage smaller species including koalas, possums and native rodents.
Drainage has also been incorporated to keep the underpass accessible during wet weather.
The underpass is supported by approximately three kilometres of koala exclusion fencing along both sides of Appin Road, complemented by eight koala grids at driveway points, 11 one-way escape hatches and seven escape poles to help koalas safely return to habitat if they find themselves on the road-facing side of the fence.
More than 40,000 native plants have been planted throughout the corridor, along with a fauna rope crossing to support wildlife movement.
The underpass is being monitored to understand how it complements existing protection measures and further improves koala safety and habitat connectivity.
“This is about delivering practical environmental outcomes and ensuring Campbelltown’s much-valued koala colony is protected for future generations,’’ says Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren.
“Our community has an expectation surrounding the environment that we share with koalas and other native animals, and this is an essential step to ensure their survival and preservation.
“I have always and will always support any and every measure based on expert advice for the preservation of our cherished koala colony, wildlife habitat.
“This is a historic first and long overdue and I am proud to have fought with our community to achieve.’’
The Noorumba Reserve underpass builds on measures already delivered by the State Government to protect koalas and other threatened species in the wild across Sydney’s South West, including:
- Installing exclusion fencing that has seen an 80 per cent reduction in koala strikes along the fenced section of Appin Road
- Granting more than $460,000 to Wollondilly Shire, Liverpool City and Campbelltown City Councils for warning signs to prevent koalas being hit by cars
- Investing $4.5 million in a new koala care centre in the Macarthur region
- Providing $500,000 to support volunteer rehabilitators in the Macarthur area
- $1.9m for Transport for NSW to construct fauna access structures on both sides of Deadmans Creek Bridge, a known koala vehicle strike hotspot along Heathcote Road
The new underpass at Noorumba Reserve forms part of Stage 1 of the Appin Road upgrade around Figtree Hill, which has also delivered around 500 metres of road upgraded from one to two lanes in each direction on separated carriageways.
Around 10,000 vehicles use this section of Appin Road each day. The upgrade improves safety and access for the rapidly growing Figtree Hill community.
Work is continuing to strengthen koala protection along the Appin Road corridor with a second underpass planned for the Beulah BioBank site and construction of a third underpass at Ousedale Creek near Brian Road expected to start later this year.
New koala protection fencing will also be installed, providing a single corridor of protection from south of Rosemeadow to just north of the Appin township.
Construction is also continuing for koala protection measures along Heathcote Road around Deadmans Creek, with work expected to be complete by end of the year, weather permitting.
“This new underpass, together with fencing and other protection measures will make a real difference in keeping koalas safe from the road when they move between their habitats,’’ says minister for the environment Penny Sharpe.
“It’s another practical step by the Minns Labor Government’s in securing the future of koalas in South-West Sydney.”
