Thousands sign petition calling for koala protection
A PETITION calling on the State Government to repeal the rezoning of the Wilton South East Precinct has reached more than 10,000 signatures.
Macarthur
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A PETITION calling on the State Government to repeal the rezoning of the Wilton South East Precinct has reached more than 10,000 signatures.
The petition, organised by Wollondilly Council, calls on the NSW Government to repeal the rezoning of land within the development precinct that forms part of the Allen’s Creek primary koala habitat corridor. The petition also asks that no more land be rezoned in Wilton or the Macarthur Priority Growth Area until a koala conservation strategy is created for southwest Sydney.
The State Government announced the rezoning of the Wilton South East Precinct earlier this year.
Wollondilly Mayor Judy Hannan said the support of the Wollondilly and wider NSW community showed that people cared about the future of the region’s koala population.
“This amazing result shows just how committed people are to looking after this unique disease-free koala population,” Cr Hannan said. “The State Government needs to take this issue seriously as the community has shown they feel very strongly about it.”
Wollondilly Council will now table the petition with the NSW Parliament where it will be debated.
It is expected to go before Parliament in August.
A NSW Department of Planning and Environment spokesman previously told the Macarthur Chronicle the local koala population would be protected.
“A large, well-connected reserve network along the Nepean River and Allens Creek corridor has been protected and will allow koala movements, helping to ensure the Wollondilly and Macarthur koala colonies continue to thrive,” the spokesman said.