Northern Rivers Local News
‘FUR-EVER’ IN FOCUS AHEAD OF NATIONAL THREATENED SPECIES DAY

‘FUR-EVER’ IN FOCUS AHEAD OF NATIONAL THREATENED SPECIES DAY
Today is National Threatened Species Day and Transport for NSW has been nominated for an award for its establishment of 130 hectares of koala habitat as part of the Pacific Highway upgrade between Woolgoolga and Ballina (W2B).
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said National Threatened Species Day was an opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting and supporting the survival of Australian animals and plants.
“The Liberal and Nationals Government is securing a brighter future for NSW families by investing in our regional communities and building what matters to make daily life better,” Mr Farraway said.
“But while we’re embarking on our $19.4 billion regional road and transport infrastructure pipeline we’re also looking for ways to protect Australia’s native animals and plants, and this koala habitat is just one initiative.
“A series of wildlife underpasses, designed with advice from specialist ecologists, have been built as part of the upgrade to allow koalas and other wildlife to move safely under the new highway between existing and future habitat areas.”
Transport for NSW engaged Niche Environment and Heritage consultants in 2015 to prepare a Koala Revegetation Strategy Report for the W2B upgrade.
The strategy report identified a section near Wardell, north of the new bridge over the Richmond River, as a regionally significant koala habitat supporting a well-known koala community.
The W2B upgrade was the final link in the 657-kilometre highway upgrade between Hexham and the Queensland border.
The strategy identified 130 hectares of land as suitable for revegetation on either side of the upgrade to mitigate the potential impacts of the highway construction on a range of wildlife species, particularly koalas.
Conservation activities began before major work on the highway started, with about 113 hectares planted, which ensured the trees were well established before project completion in 2020.
The final 17 hectares were planted in early 2021 and the total 130 hectares will be protected in perpetuity through Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements administered by the Biodiversity Conservation Trust and funded by Transport for NSW.
National Threatened Species Day, held on 7 September, aims to raise awareness of plants and animals at risk of extinction.
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