
Koala Woman Says
Koalas in this electorate are concentrated along the Georges River between Minto Heights and St Helens Park on the fringes of Campbelltown with a few still left on the Wedderburn Plateau. Drone surveys in 2022- 2023 located 133 Koalas east of the Georges River in Reserved lands. The Macarthur population appears to be reasonably stable but will need continuing diligence from the community to prevent rezoning and unsustainable development. Major threats here include increased traffic on Appin Road and reduced habitat connectivity through the huge Gilead development. The planned Georges River Parkway has finally been abandoned, which is a huge win for both Koalas and people in Campbelltown.
Protection of these Koalas is essential for their long term survival in this electorate. Campbelltown City Council is one of few Councils in NSW with a prescribed list of Koala food trees and provides a good example how similar provisions in the National Koala Protection Act will apply. Minto Heights has very strong zoning laws with two-hectare minimum lot sizes and if the residents can keep their dogs in check Koalas should be able to coexist with people into the long term.
These Koalas form part of the same population in the adjoining Macarthur electorate, wouldn’t it be great to see these two politicians working together for the Koala?
Member for Macarthur
Dr Mike Freelander MP
Australian Labor Party
Mike.Freelander.mp@aph.gov.au
P.O. BOX 88 Campbelltown NSW 2560
Will he Act or Axe?


Koala Numbers
Estimated AKF Koala Population: 300-400
Estimated Koala Habitat left: 51.4%
Estimated Federal Government Population: No data. No opinion.
Listed as endangered to extinction under the EPBC Act (Feb 2022)