South-west Sydney is home to a thriving population of koalas that is facing considerable and increasing pressures from habitat loss and fragmentation, vehicle strike and disease.
How does the regional partnership support koala conservation?
We are supporting a regional koala conservation partnership with Greater Sydney Landcare with $600,000, under the NSW Koala Strategy.
This funding supports a dedicated koala officer to work with the local community, and with Campbelltown, Wollondilly and other local councils in south-west Sydney to help conserve koalas in this area.
Other agencies and organisations involved include the Wildlife Health and Conservation Hospital, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, WaterNSW, University of Sydney Koala Health Hub, Biodiversity Conservation Trust, WIRES and Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Service.
What work is being undertaken?
A range of on-ground koala conservation actions are being undertaken through Greater Sydney Landcare, including:
- coordinating koala habitat restoration on private land
- supporting the koala conservation work of local councils
- engaging with Traditional Owners
- supporting the local koala carer community
- bringing the people of south-west Sydney together and sharing information
- community engagement and education to involve the community in koala conservation efforts.
Additional support is also being provided to:
- prevent chlamydia in the disease-free population north of Appin, including a vaccine trial and intensive monitoring of wild koalas
- koala habitat restoration
- reduce vehicle strike with signs and an underpass on Heathcote Road at Deadmans Creek
- monitor koalas and map their habitat and corridors in Sutherland and Wollondilly.