Vandals on dirt bikes destroying Wedderburn koala habitat

Wedderburn is the jewel in the bushland crown of Campbelltown – and the main habitat of the local koala colony.

Unfortunately it also lures vandals on trail bikes and 4WD vehicles who are wreaking massive damage to this beautiful part of the world.

They’re also bringing fear and loathing for nature lovers who just enjoy a good bush walk through Wedderburn, but on the weekends are not just deafened by the noise of the motors, they also risk being maimed or killed.

One of those passive users of the bush at Wedderburn is Patrick Duffy, pictured above, who started riding his bicycle there for exercise when gyms were closed due to the pandemic earlier this year.

Mr Duffy, who runs his own legal practice across the Macarthur region, is aghast at both the extent of the damage caused and the lack of action by the authorities so far.

“Wedderburn is being turned into a Crusty Demons track every weekend,’’ he says.

“I was shocked when I first saw it a few weeks ago,’’ says Mr Duffy, who immediately reported it to the Campbelltown police.

“It’s 20 to 30 dirt bikes ripping it up; it’s practically an unlicensed motor cross track, both in the Dharawal National Park and the conservation area across the other side of the road.

“Campbelltown Council are talking about koalatown, but what are they doing to stop the damage these vandals are causing to the koala habitat here in Wedderburn,’’ he says.

“Not much at all – let me show you,’’ he says when we meet this morning at the gate to the Wedderburn airport at the end of Lysaght Road.

There are bits of rubber everywhere, including in the middle of the road, the metal fence chain lies along the ground, and in the bush the trail of destruction is visible everywhere you look.

The fire trail tracks, created for fire trucks to give them access during bush fires, are now dotted with deep craters, created by the bikes and 4WD vehicles.

The bush land vandals have even knocked over a Dharawal State Conservation Area sign, below.

 “And as you can see, all this has also brought out the dumpers,’’ says Mr Duffy, pointing to rubbish strewn along both sides of Lysaght Road.

“I’ve been here on a Sunday morning for a cycle and there’s up to 20 cars parked along here.

“They’re on dirt bikes and 4WDs, and you just wouldn’t want to be out there bush walking or cycling.

“But I am really worried about the damage to the bush, especially the koala habitat.’’

Mr Duffy, who has lived most of his life in Campbelltown and used to go to Wedderburn on camping trips while growing up, says an urgent and co-ordinated approach is required to tackle the problem.

“What’s needed here are regular patrols by police and council rangers, as well as the installation of cameras.

“The fence needs to be maintained more regularly to block access to the bush by these vandals, who just don’t seem to give a damn about the damage they’re causing,’’ Mr Duffy said.

“But most of all, if council is fair dinkum about koalatown, they should take the initiative here to stop this terrible damage to the bush.’’