The committee recommends that the protection of koala habitat and corridors in the planning and implementation stages of urban growth areas be urgently prioritised. The committee recommends that the NSW Government create a Georges River National Park to provide secure habitat and ensure the protection of the koala colony and habitat on the Figtree Hill site before allowing any further development for the South Western Sydney koala population.

The committee recognises the important role that local councils play in conserving koala habitat, and recommends that the Government fund and support them to identify pockets of urban bushland to include in the State’s protected area network.

The committee found that the current exclusion fence for Appin Road in South Western Sydney is counterproductive and poses a serious danger to koalas and recommended that the NSW Government urgently incorporate an underpass and overpass on Appin Road suitable for koalas and other wildlife with appropriate wildlife corridors at both entrance points.

The committee found that the NSW Government must ensure that the combination of underpasses, overpasses and exclusion fencing along roads is incorporated into both the retrofitting of existing infrastructure and new development in areas of known koala habitat.

Finally, the government must ensure the protection of the koala colony and habitat before allowing any further development at the Shenhua Watermark mine site.