Wollondilly Shire Council has welcomed the NSW Government’s plan to roll out technology trials aimed at reducing the number of wildlife strikes in the coming weeks, while highlighting the urgent need for koala crossings on Appin Road.
The trials include testing lighter pavement surface colours to make it easier for motorists to see koalas as well as AI technology to identify the presence of koalas and immediately alert drivers using ‘smart’ roadside signage.
Additionally, new markings will be painted on Appin Road in koala hotspots and one-way escape doors will be installed in wildlife fencing to help koalas trapped on the road.
“Council is supportive of any new technology trials being carried out to reduce wildlife road strikes, especially koalas which have the highest number of reported vehicle strikes of all threatened species in NSW,’’ says Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould.
“We are particularly pleased to see the paint marking and one-way escape doors in the koala fencing on Appin Road, which is notorious for wildlife strikes.
“The new road markings will be trialled in known koala zones near Appin, which will feature the outline of a koala and the word “slow” to increase driver awareness of active koala colonies.
“With koalas frequently attempting to cross roads in search of mates or new habitat, the one-way doors will allow koalas to escape the road corridor where fencing is in place, but won’t allow them to pass back through into traffic.
“Unfortunately, two koalas have recently tested positive to chlamydia in the south-west Sydney region, which was previously disease free.
“While further testing has found no further evidence of the disease and the NSW Government is working to improve biosecurity, this highlights another of the risks to our local koala population.
“We’d be very concerned if this became a problem,’’ Mayor Gould said.
