Sutherland Council to press for koala crossing improvements on Heathcote Rd

The safe passage of koalas along a notorious stretch of road in Sydney’s south is back on the agenda, with calls for the NSW Government to expedite exclusion fencing and electronic warning signs for motorists.

A koala was spotted on Bundanoon Road, Woronora Heights. Picture: Supplied

A south Sydney council is expected to ramp up its advocacy for improving koala crossings along a notorious stretch of road.

A Sutherland Council committee is expected to recommend the council press Transport for NSW to expedite delivering underbridge improvements, exclusion fencing and electronic signs to warn motorists of koalas.

There have been 175 individual koalas recorded on private, council, state and national park land, predominantly in the tall, open forests of the Woronora Valley.

The Sutherland Shire Environment Centre reported 10 koalas were killed along Heathcote Rd in the past year and funded two mobile signs, in addition to two other government-funded signs, to alert motorists that koalas were more likely to be on the move in September and October in search of a mate.

In 2021, Transport for NSW commissioned a report which recommended underbridge improvements be made to Deadmans Creek Bridge to facilitate koala passage; and exclusion fencing on both sides of Heathcote Rd to minimise koala access.

The Sutherland Shire Environment Centre funded two mobile signs to alert motorists that koalas were more likely to be on the move in September and October in search of a mate. Picture Supplied

The council report says Transport for NSW is in the process of implementing the full recommendations of the report and expects further progress to be made over the next 12-18 months.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the department was taking action along Heathcote Rd to improve safety for koalas after $1.5m was allocated to plan the next stage of Deadmans Creek improvements.

A koala was spotted on Bundanoon Road, Woronora Heights. Picture: Supplied

Stage one included improving access under the bridge via fibre reinforced polymer platform and a concrete walkway was completed.

Stage two involved fencing either side of the road to prevent animals getting onto the road and directing them to the bridge underpass and two nearby culverts under the road.

“Structures are now in place on both sides of Deadmans Creek for koalas to safely traverse under the bridge with koala exclusion fencing planned for the north and south of Deadmans Creek to help direct koala movement under the bridge,” he said.

“Development of koala exclusion fencing in this area is underway and an update on timing of installation will be provided as this work progresses.

“Transport for NSW has installed five permanent signs and two temporary variable message signs on Heathcote Road to warn drivers of koala activity in the area and encouraging drivers to slow down.”

The council report also notes a state government grant application had yet to be determined for funding for six semipermanent vehicle-activated radar speed signs on council-managed roads in core koala habitat throughout the shire.