Motorists and wildlife continue to be at risk along Appin Road, because of the wilful neglect of the NSW Government. There have been over seven years of endless meetings and roundtables yet the need for action is immediate.

Dr Mike Freelander MP, the Federal Member for Macarthur, recently visited the Figtree Hill development in Appin and met with representatives from Lendlease to discuss the development and its impact on both the local environment and Appin Road.

Lendlease first proposed installing koala underpasses under Appin Road in 2019 as part of their $150 million upgrade to the road, with a proposed 5km dual carriageway upgrade to Appin Road also forming part of the proposal which the Perrottet Government is yet to sign off on.

This continued lack of action by the NSW Government continues to cost lives to both motorists and wildlife, causing avoidable deaths, injuries, and traumas.

Dr Freelander reiterated his concerns during the visit of the ongoing devastation that residents and wildlife have been experiencing along Appin Road, with 11 human fatalities occurring on Appin Road since 1997 (crashes that occurred within the Rosemeadow-Campbelltown LGA border) and 36 koala fatalities being recorded since 2012.

I am beyond frustrated by the NSW Government however, with their continued inability to act on requests from both Lendlease and locals to upgrade Appin Road leading to continued devastation to our community.

The NSW Government intends to spend half a billion on a stadium in Penrith, yet they cannot spend half an hour going through these proposals which will provide much needed safety upgrades for Appin Road. Until this happens, human lives are at risk and our koala’s edge closer to extinction.

I recently spoke at a local action forum with residents regarding the need to protect our local koala colony and to save human lives. I reiterate my belief that we can protect both koala and human lives by upgrading Appin Road. It requires prompt, decisive, and compassionate action.