‘Mini-summit’ brings hope for Macarthur region’s disease-free koala colony
Concerns over the future of the Macarthur region’s unique disease-free koala colony could be eased, with the state government to consider the creation of a koala national park.
Macarthur
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A glimmer of hope for the Macarthur region’s unique disease-free koala colony has emerged at a ‘mini-summit’ on Wednesday, with the state government to consider the creation of a koala national park along the Georges River.
A swath of politicians from across the political divide descended on Gilead for a three-hour meeting, listening to environmentalists and concerned community members about the plight of the area’s koala population, suffering against the onslaught of development.
At the request of Macarthur federal Labor MP Dr Mike Freelander, NSW Minister for Environment Matt Kean joined six other neighbouring politicians including Shadow Minister for Western Sydney and Campbelltown MP Greg Warren and MLC Mark Latham, to be educated on the alarming situation.
Camden Liberal MP Peter Sidgreaves, Wollondilly Liberal MP Nathaniel Smith and Holsworthy Liberal MP Melanie Gibbons were also at the event.
Mr Kean, after witnessing a koala and her joey in a nearby tree, said the unique koala colony in the Macarthur region was “incredibly special”.
“Everyone here is united in their love for Australia’s most iconic animal, the koala,” he said.
“We want to see it protected, not just not, but into the future.”
The Environment Minister said he would work to ensure development wouldn’t encroach on the koala population, floating the potential of a national park along the Georges River.
“Seen here today were a number of MPs, representing different political traditions, different political parties — all united in their desire to protect this loved and iconic animal and expand the footprint of national parks.”
A 4000ha national park, from Appin to Glenfield, had been promised by NSW Labor in the lead-up to the 2019 election.
Federal MP Dr Freelander, who has long campaigned against the destruction of local koala habitat said with the region’s growing population he couldn’t imagine a better location for a national park.
“This is an iconic, beautiful area and I think it will be fantastic to see, in five years time, this part of an national park,” he said.
MLC Mark Latham said he attended the ‘mini-summit’ due to his concerns of urban sprawl.
“I don’t think this Gilead development should go ahead and I think Campbelltown Council should have the courage to say no,” he said.
“(Council) haven’t been fighting and they haven’t been protecting the koalas.”
More than 10,000 people signed a Wollondilly Council petition last year which called for better koala protection.