[dropcap]P[/dropcap]lanning has started to widen Appin Road into a six lane highway to handle the anticipated increase in traffic from the massive new housing developments in South Campbelltown.
But other than fencing along the eastern side, local koalas have been left out in the cold by the state government.
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) have told Campbelltown Council that “no koala connectivity structures are proposed in current planning, as preliminary advice from the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) did not identify the need for such structures’’.
In response, Campbelltown Council decided at its meeting on Tuesday nigh it would not take this lack of action lying down.
It will seek an urgent meeting with the NSW minister for planning Anthony Roberts to impress on him the importance of including measures that protect koalas and other native animals in the planning and design of the Appin Road upgrade.
Councillor Karen Hunt received unanimous council support for her suggestion that an urgent meeting be sought with the minister.
She said it was critical the minister understood the importance of the recommendations made by the council commissioned South Campbelltown Koala Habitat Connectivity Study
It says overpasses and underpasses, wildlife exclusion fencing and koala grids along Appin Road and the provision of east-west natural asset corridors should be included in future planning for South Campbelltown and Appin Road.
The study indicates that the natural asset corridors in Macarthur South are sustaining resident koala populations with high occupancy rates; confirming not only the presence of koalas, but the importance of the natural asset corridors in providing koala movements and the exchange of genetic material between the Campbelltown and Nepean koala populations.
Local resident Nea Makowski told council that the crossings recommended by the study were “vital for the survival of koalas’’.
“We have to always make sure we get the balance right between development and the environment,’’ Ms Makowski said.
Wildlife proponent and local resident Ricardo Lonza told council that development in Campbelltown had fragmented the koala habitat.
“Connectivity is key for the survival of koalas and they must be able to get safely from A to B,’’ he said.
Mr Lonza has since told the Voice that an hour after the council meeting had finished on Tuesday night he collected a deceased 9.7kg male koala rom Appin Road near Mt Gilead
South Campbelltown (also known as Gilead) is expected to result in around 18,000 new homes over the next 40 years.
It is situated along Appin Road, beween Noorumba Reserve and the historic Beulah Property.
- Also at last Tuesday night meeting, council agreed to put the Mt Gilead voluntary planning agreement on public exhibition.
This is for stage one, which will produce an estimated 1,700 lots.
The voluntary planning agreement means the developer will pay for the cost of all infrastructure, including community facilities.
It is estimated provision of open space and recreation will cost just under $30 million; community facilities $2.3m; road network $12.3m; stormwater management $11.7m.
Send this as an attachment to RMS contact page and Environment and heritage department please Eric, you can attach things
Paul, I just report, the rest is up to you guys