The Minns Labor Government is building a nation-leading wildlife crossing, that ecologists hope will repopulate the Royal National Park with koalas and wombats.

Cawleys bridge, which is currently only used for maintenance access, will be retrofitted with ‘fauna furniture’ designed to make the bridge accessible for all types of animals.

Structures like ropes and tree trunks will allow for possums and gliders to keep off the ground when travelling. Sand and stones will help burrowing frogs, lizards and snakes. Shrubs will provide cover for echidnas and long nosed bandicoots to travel safely. 

The hope is that the bridge will allow for thriving population of koalas and wombats in Heathcote National Park to expand East into unoccupied habitat in Garawarra State Conservation area and the Royal National Park.

There has been a long history of community advocacy for this bridge conversion, first having been put forward in 1974 by Bob Crombie, a now retired National Parks and Wildlife Service staff member.

The bridge, which is 70 metres long and 7.5 metres wide, will maintain emergency and management access creating multipurpose infrastructure.

Monitoring is also underway to better understand how wildlife uses the bridge and how it might influence future overpasses.

Quotes attributable to Maryanne Stuart, member for Heathcote:

I’m thrilled the Minns Labor Government is reconnecting Royal National Park and Heathcote National Park. It will be a great outcome for koalas and many other species.

The environment is core business for Labor Governments and this is an incredible win for our local wildlife.

Quotes attributable to Transport for NSW:

“Transport for NSW is delighted to provide a way for so many native animals to move between these important conservation reserves.

“The partial repurposing of Cawleys Bridge is another step toward creating a resilient landscape in the face of climate change and the many other threats to our wildlife.”

Quotes attributable to Bob Crombie, retired ecologist (former NPWS Ranger naturalist at Royal National Park in 1974 and ecology university):

“I think it’s absolutely brilliant. It is absolutely necessity for the wellbeing of Royal National Park and for the wellbeing of everyone in the area. The wildlife is the park, the park is not just land with trees on it, no, it’s a living thing.

“I feel very, very happy – I don’t usually do this, but I’ve got a sense of pride, I felt this was a real achievement, and feel that Australia is listening and the world is starting to do something more for wildlife.

“I think people driving that way south will see this thing and start asking for more.

MEDIA:

Lachlan Wilkinson | Maryanne Stuart | 0406 460 683