In response to community feedback, Transport for NSW has announced it will immediately begin installing interim koala protection fencing along around 700 metres of Appin Road near Beulah Reserve.
Transport for NSW has appointed road maintenance partner Ventia to undertake this work.
The new koala protection fencing will reduce the incidence of koalas venturing onto this busy stretch of road and is in addition to other measures including warning signs and road markings.
At the same time Transport for NSW is gearing up for 3.6 kilometres of safety improvements along Appin Road between Gilead and Appin, with major work to begin in 2026.
This stretch of road typically caters for around 10,000 vehicles per day.
At present a contract is being prepared for the detailed design and construction of safety improvements which will provide safer carriage along this stretch of Appin Road for motorists and improved safety for fauna trying to cross the road.
This will include permanent koala protection fencing, koala escape poles, improved signage for driver awareness, koala escape hatches and road widening and minor realignment work for motorists.
The final design for the safety improvements will also consider feedback recently received and now available to read in the Submissions Report – nswroads.work/appin-road-safety.
For more information about the Appin Road Safety Improvements, go to nswroads.work/appin-road-safety.
So how are the koala’s accessing the rest of the corridor? They cross the road because their habitat is on both sides of the road. How is this fencing helping them cross the road safely?
Why don’t we have a koala hospital? It could become a tourist attraction too!