August signals the start of the koala breeding season. It means koalas are on the move as they seek to mate between the start of this month and almost the end of summer.
Unfortunately, it is also when this iconic Aussie marsupial is most at risk of getting killed crossing the road.
Here in outer South Western Sydney, the koala colony stretches from Heathcote Road to Picton Road, more or less on bushland along the Georges River.
The good news is that it’s not just the koalas that are on the move right now.
Humans, also known as the State Government, are slowly but surely taking robust action to protect what is an otherwise healthy koala colony.
New fauna fences and motorist warning signs are going up at vehicle strike hotspots, with a new $1.9 million project under way to erect more than a kilometre of koala safety fencing along Heathcote Road.
The fencing will be installed around Deadmans Creek in strategic locations to prevent koalas and other fauna from entering Heathcote Road between St George Crescent at Sandy Point and Pleasure Point Road at Pleasure Point.
The koala fencing stands 1.5 metres high with non-climbable sheeting and will connect into existing fencing and safe fauna crossing points under the road.
Access for koalas under the existing Deadmans Creek Bridge will be improved with the installation of repurposed logs to help koalas climb across drainage lines.
A modified cattle grid – known as a koala grid – that impedes koala access and a pedestrian gate that stops koalas while allowing human access will also be installed at St George Crescent, along with one-way escape hatches in the fence.
This work follows the installation of six permanent koala warnings signs on Heathcote Road in 2023 and temporary electronic signs deployed during koala breeding seasons.
Construction is set to begin next year for a planned koala underpass with concrete rectangular tunnel (box culvert) and logs around Appin Road at Ousedale Creek.
That’s one of three underpasses to be built between Appin and Rosemeadow developed in partnership with the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure.
The specifically designed koala-friendly underpass will be located 35 metres south of the Brian Road intersection and will be supported by grids, fencing and escape poles to allow koalas to climb to safety.
In response to community feedback, interim koala protection fencing is being installed along around 700 metres of Appin Road near Beulah Reserve.
This is designed to deter koalas from venturing onto this busy stretch of road and is in addition to other measures including motorist warning signs and road markings.
“This is another step in the right direction when it comes to koala protection in our region, and I would like to thank the community for providing their valuable feedback,” said Member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren, pictured above in front of fencing along Appin Road.
Further south, 3.5 kilometres of new wildlife fencing is being added on both sides of Picton Road at Cataract between the Picton Road westbound rest area and Cordeaux Dam Road to adjoin the existing fence.
This fence extension is being installed with $6.3 million provided under the Safer Roads Program that has already delivered widening of the eastbound lane and centre barrier installation. It will be completed by the end of August.
This work follows the installation of a grid at Cordeaux Dam Road to deter koalas from entering the roadway.
This new fencing between the Picton Road rest area westbound and Cordeaux Dam Road will close a gap in the existing fencing and further help to prevent koala strikes.
The upgraded wildlife fencing used on all of these projects is designed to be durable and secure with the use of thick-gauge wire, strong mesh, and tie wires installed frequently to provide strength and longevity.
For more information on Heathcote Road, visit: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/koala-protection-on-heathcote-road-around-deadmans-creek
For more information on Appin Road, visit: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/ousedale-creek