Member’s koala briefing, 20 August, upstairs at the Audley Dance Hall

This meeting will cover the current situation on the ground with koalas in the Shire, areas of concern, what we’ve been doing, and future actions to ensure our local koalas survive.

There’ll also be time to cover any other more general questions people have about the Centre.

You may have seen news reports recently about the number of koalas being killed in the Shire.

The notorious Heathcote Road kill zone: at least 8 dead koalas, 3 rescued – the kill / hit rate since October 2022. There was a segment on ABC News about it which drew on our research: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-01/sydney-road-becoming-dangerous-for-koalas/102676016

SSEC started advocacy work in relation to koalas and wildlife corridors in 2020, writing reports, asking various arms of government to step up and protect our local population. Sutherland and Wollongong Councils have passed motions to do so, but State and Federal government has been painfully slow to deliver. At our latest meeting with Transport NSW and Defence they indicated they may not do anything substantive till 2024.

Transport NSW is currently not even willing to put up signs warning motorists that there are koalas on the road.

We can’t just stand by and do nothing, waiting for government to act.

If you can’t make the meeting but want to help, find out more, or have questions or ideas, please get in contact. There’s also more information on the koala corridor page on our website.

Aside from this campaign briefing, it’s always good catching up with others who care about our local environment, and environmental issues more broadly. It’s a chance for us to exchange ideas, to find out more about what else other members have been up to, and what events are coming up.

We’d also like to know if people have events they want to put on. If you do, the meeting will be a good chance to chat about what you have in mind.

Anyone wishing to volunteer assistance with events, or in other ways is always welcome. Everything SSEC does is dependent on volunteers.  

If people are keen we can have lunch at the Café afterwards, or on the Dance Hall balcony.

So meeting upstairs at the lovely Audley Dance Hall, Sunday 20 August. Hope to see you then.