Greater Macarthur 2040: Government vows to protect southwest Sydney’s precious koala colony

Fears of the obliteration of a precious chlamydia-free koala colony on Sydney’s outskirts has prompted the State Government to take action to ensure the animals’ survival.

The State Government has promised extra protections for the region’s precious flora and fauna.

The State Government has responded to fears of the obliteration of the region’s unique chlamydia-free koala colony, committing to a regional approach for koala conservation.

Following a chorus of condemnation by koala activists after the exhibition of the Greater Macarthur 2040 Interim Plan, the Planning Department has vowed to take action through a Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan.

A koala and her baby wandered onto a construction site in St Helens Park.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes said the Macarthur region was home to some of Sydney’s most precious flora and fauna and welcomed protection measures..

“Importantly, koala preservation has been addressed with land east of Appin Rd being reserved to protect our regionally significant koala corridor along the Georges River,” he said.

Charity organisation Australians for Animals blasted the Greater Macarthur Plan in the “strongest possible terms”.

“It is abundantly clear that the proposal will have catastrophic impacts on a critically important koala population, estimated to be between 500-1000 animals,” the submission stated.

Koala, named Princess, pictured at Wedderburn earlier this year. Picture: Robert Pozo

The charity also said it had no faith in claims upgrades to Appin Rd and the construction of the Spring Farm Parkway would protect koalas.

The Planning Department has released a ‘What we Heard’ report which promised future measures for koala conservation.

“The (Cumberland Plain Conservation) plan prioritises koala conservation and management, which will include a range of actions to protect and conserve koalas and other native species,” the report stated.

“The plan proposed to provide funding for stewardship for land identified east of Appin Rd to preserve the north-south koala corridor.”

The site east of Appin Rd is proposed to be a koala reserve, and would be acquired through about $174 million in development contributions.

The report also committed to developing a regional approach to koala conservation in the Campbelltown and Wollondilly council areas.

The Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan will be exhibited next year.