Nothing is more emotive in the Australian lexicon than “koala”.

The Macarthur area is lucky that we still have an active koala population extending from Campbelltown to Wollondilly.

Since coming to office in 2016 I have made a number of speeches, written many letters and made many comments about the need to protect our koala population, our other flora and fauna, and our environment.

Many other people and groups have also implored councils, developers, state and federal governments and individual politicians (including myself) to take action.

Unfortunately, words are not only cheap; they do not always translate into meaningful actions.

Nothing has happened. There have been many excuses, but literally nothing has been done to protect our local koala population.

I was saddened to hear of another koala roadkill on the weekend.

I can only surmise that our state government feels that our koalas are getting in the way of development and are expendable.

The state Minister for the Environment, Gabrielle Upton, not only has done nothing but she has not even replied to my correspondence.

The time has come for urgent action, words are no longer enough.

I recently visited Featherdale Wildlife Park to see what can be done to protect our koalas and they have made some very sensible suggestions, but it does need the cooperation of councils, developers, state and federal governments and local people if we are to save that most iconic symbol of Austraia, the koala bear.