Council votes to build road through sanctuary where koalas were spotted
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council voted to run Dunns Creek Road through Wandiyali-Environa sanctuary. Koalas were recently recorded there.
The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council voted on October 21 to build Dunns Creek Road through the Wandiyali-Environa Wildlife Sanctuary. The decision ignored advice from council staff to scrap the project.
The decision went against views from the NSW environment minister and Biodiversity Conservation Trust. The council chose this protected route over five options that would have removed home owners.
Koalas were recorded in the sanctuary for the first time in decades, making this choice controversial. Conservation manager Carolyn Larcombe said it was personally shattering.
The council voted 10 to 1. Dissenting councillor Katrina Willis said the odds of getting ministerial approval were near zero.
- 10 to 1
- Council vote
- October 21
- Date decided
- Between 3 and 22
- Alternative homes affected
- First time in decades
- Koala rediscovery
Why it mattersA protected habitat where a vulnerable species was just rediscovered will now be split by a road.
AustraliaKoala habitat near Canberra faces disruption from road construction, as a community prioritises traffic relief over wildlife recovery.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 1 h ago
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