Appin Rd: Campbelltown community demands ‘immediate action’ as koala deaths climb

VIDEO: Increased sightings of distressed and displaced koalas – and a climbing death toll – have prompted calls for action from a southwest Sydney community and animal activists.

A southwest Sydney community is rallying to protect its koala population as increasing numbers of the animals are spotted in suburban backyards and childcare centres.

A recent video of a distressed koala knocking on a Campbelltown resident’s back door has gained widespread attention since being posted by rescuer Ricardo Lonza on his popular online page Help Save the Wildlife and Bushlands in Campbelltown.

Glenfield resident Marie Merton filmed the incident at her home recently when she was woken at 2am to find a koala at her door.

A Sydney southwest woman was woken to the sounds of what turned out to be a koala knocking on her door. Picture: Marie Merton

The koala made multiple visits to the Glenfield home. Picture: Marie Merton

“I put the lights on, and I saw the koala was like knocking on my door,” Ms Merton said.

“He went and then came back again around four or five o’clock … then he went back and again … came around seven o’clock in the morning,” Ms Merton said.

She said she called WIRES which rescued the koala and released it.

The koala was rescued by WIRES and later released into nearby bushlands. Picture: Marie Merton

Mr Lonza described the situation as a common issue across the southwest due to habitat loss from development and road upgrades, which had led to road fatalities for koalas.

There was public outcry following an incident on Picton Rd last week when a koala accessed the road through a broken fence and was struck by a truck, before the severely injured animal dragged itself off the road.

The koala escaped on to the road due to broken fencing which lines both sides of Picton Rd. Picture: Ricardo Lonza

The severely injured koala dragged itself off the road after the truck crash. Picture: Ricardo Lonza

The koala had to be euthanised due to the extent of his injuries.

Transport for NSW (TfNSW) announced repair works for the Picton Rd fencing would begin this week, however environmental advocates argued that the measures were reactive and insufficient.

Sydney Basin Koala Network’s project manager Stephanie Carrick, criticised the state government’s approach, saying: “TfNSW treats killing koalas as a ‘cost of doing business’.”

Ms Carrick said 50 koalas had been killed this year alone on southwestern Sydney roads, with 21 just on Appin Rd.

The koala was euthanised due to the severity of his injuries. Picture: Ricardo Lonza

“These numbers are devastating and risk sending this vital disease-free population into decline,” she said.

“The situation is substantially worse for koalas since the Minns Government took office, and they must implement the original advice of the Chief Scientist report (2020) to save this vital population.”

A NSW Government spokeswoman said the koala strikes were “of genuine concern”, and Transport for NSW was “implementing measures to change driver behaviour and increase awareness” through improved signage, and new road markings indicating koalas in the area.

TfNSW plans to incorporate improved signage to reduce koala fatalities on Appin Rd. Picture: NSW Government.

Digital message trailer sign to increase driver awareness with 21 koala fatalities on Appin road to date. Picture: NSW Government.

She added that plans for continuous koala exclusion fencing and three underpasses were underway for Appin Rd, with completion expected by mid-2025.

Advocates, however, say immediate action is needed, particularly the introduction of reduced speed limits at known koala crossing areas.

Campbelltown Sustainable Australia Party councillor Cameron McEwan has called for “koala awareness zones” (KAZ) on Appin Rd, which would include permanent speed limit reductions. His motion was passed unanimously by Campbelltown City councillors.

“I hope the ministers … appreciate the urgent need for koala awareness zones on Appin Rd, acknowledging that as a state road it is ultimately their responsibility to ensure the road is safe,” Cr McEwan said.

Campbelltown Greens councillor Jayden Rivera said the community’s passion for protecting koalas was undeniable.

Sustainable Australia Campbelltown councillor Cameron McEwan was supported by Greens councillor Jayden Rivera in his motion for 'koala awareness zones' on Appin Rd. Picture: Supplied

“The residents of Campbelltown are very active in the space of our disease-free koalas and are constantly in contact with me,” Mr Rivera said.

“They all want to see the vehicle strikes stopped.”

Campbelltown local MP Greg Warren said he was actively involved in ongoing efforts to address the crisis, including a recent meeting with WIRES volunteers, Minister for Roads John Graham, and TfNSW staff.

“I had a roundtable … to ensure community expectations are met, and everything has been done to ensure the conservation and preservation of our koala colony,” Mr Warren said.