In a troubling development, conservationists are sounding the alarm over a sharp rise in koala deaths in south-western Sydney. According to data from the Sydney Basin Koala Network, vehicle strikes on koalas along Appin Road have nearly doubled from 11 in 2022 to a staggering 19 so far in 2024. This alarming trend coincides with the commencement of clearing for major housing developments in the Gilead and Appin areas.
Koalas Facing a Housing Crisis
As the NSW government works to increase housing supply and ease affordability pressures, around 70,000 new homes are slated for construction in south-western Sydney in the coming decades. However, this region is also home to some of the city’s healthiest remaining koala populations. Conservationists argue that the government’s “development first, koalas later” mindset is accelerating the iconic species’ decline towards extinction.
“We’re not opposed to housing. Koalas are also facing a housing crisis and we need their homes protected too by protecting their important migratory corridors and allowing them to safely travel through the landscape.”
– Stephanie Carrick, Sydney Basin Koala Network
Urgent Calls for Koala Protection Measures
In a letter to Premier Chris Minns and senior ministers, a coalition of over 20 community and national environment groups outlined key demands to safeguard koalas:
- Protect and restore critical koala habitat corridors
- Construct five wildlife underpasses along Appin Road
- Reform planning laws to prioritize koala habitat protection
The groups highlight that at least 207 koalas have been hit by vehicles across south-western Sydney since 2021 alone. Of particular concern is the growing toll on breeding females and joeys, which conservationists warn is unsustainable for population survival.
Habitat Destruction Driving Koalas onto Roads
Conservationists point to the rapid pace of habitat clearing as a key factor behind the surge in koala road deaths. As bushland is bulldozed for housing estates, koalas are forced to traverse busy roads in search of diminishing patches of suitable habitat.
“People are having to rescue koalas or are finding them dead on the road as developers knock down their homes.”
– Jeff Angel, Total Environment Centre
While a single koala underpass is planned for Appin Road, construction has yet to commence despite housing development already underway. Advocates argue a minimum of five underpasses are needed to provide safe passage between fragmented habitats on either side of the road.
Mallaty Creek Exclusion Plan Draws Criticism
Particular concern surrounds the Mallaty Creek area, a critical koala corridor linking the Georges and Nepean Rivers. The government’s proposal to fence koalas out of this region rather than accommodate their movement has drawn sharp criticism from conservation groups, who label the plan “inexplicable” and contradictory to koala protection goals.
Renewed Calls for Urgent Government Action
As koala deaths continue to mount, conservationists argue the Minns government has had sufficient time in office to start implementing its commitments to boosting koala protections. With projections indicating koalas could become extinct in NSW by 2050 without decisive intervention, the groups behind this latest appeal contend that action to secure remaining habitat cannot wait.
“The government needs to get its priorities straight – koalas must come before developer profits. Every day of delay pushes this iconic species closer to the brink. Promises to act are worthless unless backed by real, timely protection on the ground for the forests koalas call home.”
– Saul Deane, Save Sydney’s Koalas
As the fate of Sydney’s koalas hangs in the balance, it remains to be seen whether this latest tragic data and united conservation front will spur the government to prioritize koala safety over unfettered development in the city’s crucial growth corridors. For the sake of this beloved Australian icon, many hope this call to action won’t come too late.
