Council has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the koala population at a Parliamentary Inquiry into NSW koala populations and habitats held in Campbelltown.
It has also pressed the state government to approve a Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management submitted by the council a year ago.
In its submission to the inquiry Campbelltown Council pressed the need for the local core koala habitat to be clearly mapped and defined so future planning decisions will protect and preserve this important koala colony.
Campbelltown’s unique koala population is reported to be the only disease-free colony in the Sydney Basin and one of the few to be increasing in numbers.
Mayor George Brticevic said council was working with the State Government to ensure the future of Campbelltown’s koala population was secured.
“We have made it very clear that underpasses and overpasses should accompany fauna exclusion fencing as part of any plans to upgrade Appin Rd,’’ he said.
“Our South Campbelltown Koala Habitat Connectivity Study reiterated the need to establish east west koala movement corridors across the road.
“We understand the topography and natural environment of Campbelltown provides the conditions necessary to sustain koalas.
‘As we plan for future growth we need to keep the long term vision of future-proofing koala habitat and movement within the region on the agenda,” he said.
“Earlier this year we brought together experts, the community, wildlife groups and Government agencies at our Greater Macarthur Koala Partnership Forum so we could all better understand the needs of our local koalas.”
Council stressed to the inquiry the need for a Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management (CKPOM) to be approved by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
Council’s CKPOM was originally submitted in December 2016. After review, a final plan was submitted in October 2018 but is still awaiting approval.
In the last year, more than 40 development related koala habitat assessments, including 12 Individual koala plans of management have had to be completed due to the lack of an approved comprehensive plan for the region.
This has resulted in significant cost increases and uncertainty for residents living in areas near koala habitat who are trying to make simple alterations to their homes through development applications while also placing increased pressure on Council staff resources.
How can you believe what this mans says, he had NO idea. If Council as so concerned about the Koalas then why did they approve the Development Application for tree removal, dewatering of dams, & contouring of land. (bulk Earth Works) of Mt. Gilead. This is just one of the many huge problems that council are turning a blind eye to with regard to Mt. Gilead.
If Campbelltown council wanted to protect the koala population why did it rezone Gilead from Protected Scenic to Urban development?