The construction of the first koala underpass at Appin Road is under way as works progress to upgrade this key arterial in Campbelltown’s south.
Underpass construction is part of a $170m upgrade of Appin Road, that has also seen the installation of koala fencing along the perimeter of the road, installation of roadside safety barriers, and road widening, improving road safety for motorists, koalas and other local wildlife.
Koala exclusion fencing has been installed along both sides of Appin Road between Noorumba Reserve and Beulah Reserve.
This will help prevent impacts to koalas from vehicle strikes, which remains one of the top threats facing the local colony.
Construction of the first koala crossing under Appin Road is being delivered as a boxed culvert three metres wide.
The works will be undertaken while Appin Road remains open for traffic and is expected to be open to wildlife mid-2025.
The upgrade is being delivered as part of the Figtree Hill project, which will include 1,700 homes.
Figtree Hill has recently opened the public entrance off Appin Road to the new community which will one day welcome more than 5,000 residents.
More than 300 sites have been registered so far, with construction on new homes to begin soon.
Yesterday, State Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren, and the Mayor of Campbelltown, Darcy Lound, along with senior council staff, were given a tour of the work by the Figtree Hill developer, Lendlease.
“I am glad to see work begin on this much needed project for our community and for our wildlife,’’ Mr Warren said afterwards.
“I will be continuing to ensure that the concerns of our community are both raised and actioned appropriately.’’
Mayor Lound said that the work under way was a great outcome for our community.
“Council has been calling for upgrades to Appin Road for many years and this is a step in the right direction to deliver safety improvements for motorists and our important koala colony,’’ Mayor Lound said.
“This investment in critical infrastructure to serve our growing city is very welcome.”
Brendan O’Brien, Lendlease’s head of NSW residential communities, said the company had wasted no time in starting construction of koala safety measures following approval from Transport for NSW.
“This first fauna underpass at Noorumba Reserve will be the first safe east-west connection for koalas between the Nepean and Georges Rivers,” he said.
