Discover Figtree Hill
Appin Road Upgrade
As part of the new Figtree Hill community, we are funding and delivering important safety upgrades to Appin Road in Campbelltown, between Ambarvale and Gilead. These works have been approved by Transport for NSW to improve road safety, help protect local koalas and support the delivery of new homes in the area.
Construction is underway and will be delivered in three phases across a predicted three to four year timeframe. Key features of the Appin Road Upgrade safety improvements include:
- upgrading to a four-lane divided road with safety barriers
- new koala underpasses, grids and fencing
- upgrading intersections including construction of a new intersection to provide safe access into the Figtree Hill community
Appin Road Upgrade Flyover
Koalas
Appin Road is considered a blackspot for koala strikes. At the start of construction, we will install koala fencing on both sides of Appin Road, between Noorumba Reserve and Beulah, to protect koalas. Koala underpasses will help establish connected east-west koala conservation corridors between the Georges and Nepean River.
Funding
We are funding the upgrades under an approved Voluntary Planning Agreement with the NSW Government. The infrastructure project will upgrade a five-kilometre section of Appin Road at a cost of $170 million.
What to expect
The Appin Road upgrade is a significant infrastructure project, and every effort will be made to minimise the impact to the community. There will be some traffic delays and disruptions to motorists and the community including noise, lane closures and reduced speed limits.
As part of construction, given the limited space along the road, it will be necessary to carry out night work to ensure the safety of motorists and workers and minimise the impact on the road network. During night work, there will be speed reductions, lane closures and traffic control on the road to ensure the safety of workers and motorists.
Koala protection measures
In developing the koala protection measures we’ve drawn on best practice and expert ecological advice. The underpasses, in association with koala exclusion fencing, have a strong likelihood of success based on evidence of koalas using similar structures on other Transport for NSW road projects. The final design of the underpasses has been determined by Transport for NSW.
Learn more about best practice designs in the videos below with koala expert Dr Steve Ward, Associate Ecologist, EMM Consulting.
Appin Road Upgrade
Koala fencing will be installed at the start of the project. It plays an important role in guiding wildlife to the underpasses and separating them from vehicles travelling along Appin Road.
The koala fencing will connect into current residential fencing near Noorumba Reserve and proposed fencing to be installed as part of the Appin Road Safety Improvement Project between Gilead and Appin.
A box culvert koala underpass will be constructed under the upgraded four-lane road. Measuring 2.4m (height) x 3m (width).
An elevated timber rail will be installed to help provide koalas with a dry and safe alternative to walking on the ground.
Refuge poles will extend from the underpasses to bushland. Koala feed trees and native vegetation will be planted to provide connecting habitat to the new underpass.
A rope crossing structure above Appin Road, near Noorumba Reserve, will support the crossing of possums and gliders over the widened four land road.
The rope crossing, commonly used throughout Australia, will connect habitat and reduce road mortality for arboreal mammal species.
Specifically designed koala grids will be installed at access points to Appin Road to prevent koalas from entering the road corridor.
Eight one-way koala escape poles will also be installed along the fence line to allow koalas that accidentally enter the roadside to escape and move behind the fencing to safety.
The escape poles will be installed near the underpasses and fence ends of the project.
A box culvert koala underpass will be built under the existing two-lane road. Measuring 1.5m (height) x 2.4m (width).
The underpass will contain a small ledge to provide dry, safe passage under the road.
We’ve committed to building a larger underpass in this area when this section of the road is upgraded. This underpass will require separate planning, design, and approvals.
A monitoring program of the underpasses and fencing will be undertaken by wildlife conservation experts.
This data will provide insights into use, improvements and research. The monitoring program will be established prior to completion of the works.
Ongoing consultation with Campbelltown City Council and local wildlife rescue organisations will be included in the monitoring and adaptive management program.
Fauna Management
As part of the planning process, we have developed detailed designs and undertaken fauna surveys in preparation for the start of construction. Learn how we are putting in place safeguards to avoid impacts to wildlife during construction.
Fauna Management
Frequently asked questions
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When will construction start?
We have appointed a construction contractor to deliver the Phase 1 Works program with on-site preparation to begin in February 2024, weather permitting. We look forward to delivering this important project for the community and will provide more detail on construction in the coming months.
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Where is Appin Road?
Appin Road is a key arterial road which connects road users travelling between south-western Sydney and the Illawarra. It has an average use of over 12,000 vehicles per day and locally the road services the suburbs of Appin, Gilead and Rosemeadow.
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Why is the road being upgraded?
A safety review of Appin Road was undertaken by Transport for NSW in 2014. Several safety issues were identified in the review such as trees too close to the road’s edge and the narrow width of the existing lanes and shoulders of the road. The upgrade of Appin Road was recommended to address these safety issues.
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What road safety measures have been proposed?
The original Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and concept design for Appin Road Upgrade, was on exhibition from Monday 19 November to Friday 14 December 2018. It was proposed that the road be duplicated providing additional lanes and new safety barriers between Rosemeadow and Gilead. View the Transport for NSW community update for more information.
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Is there community support for the upgrade?
Member for Campbelltown, Greg Warren and Mayor of Campbelltown, Dr George Greiss visited Figtree Hill and provided their views on why the Appin Road Upgrade is so important for the community. Watch their interviews below.
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What impact does Appin Road have on koalas?
A report published by Biolink (2023) revealed that there has been an increasing rate of koala roadkill along Appin Road in recent years, and that the number of animals known to have been killed along this road is likely to represent less than half of the real number. Using publicly available data from BioNet, we’ve counted 28 koala deaths along this stretch of road in the past five years.
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What are the koala protection measures?
Transport for NSW developed an Addendum Review of Environmental Factors (A/REF) which was on public exhibition in November and December 2022. The community was consulted over the proposed addition of koala underpasses and fauna fencing to facilitate safe passage of koalas across Appin Road.
A submissions report has been prepared and published by Transport for NSW which responds to the feedback received and includes additional design changes. This project will now deliver two larger box culvert koala underpasses in response to community feedback.
Other changes include the installation of koala grids, escape and refuge poles to provide additional protections for koalas and keep them out of the road corridor.
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Why have the koala protection measures been designed this way?
In developing the koala protection measures we’ve drawn on best practice and expert ecological advice. The final design of the underpasses has been determined by Transport for NSW. Click below to read the NSW Government’s best practice documents and monitoring reports which shows evidence of koalas using similar structures on other Transport for NSW road projects.
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How will the road upgrade support new housing?
The Appin Road Upgrade will provide two new signalised intersections to the Figtree Hill community. This will provide access for new residents and the community. Appin Road will also serve the Greater Macarthur Growth Area. This area will transition from rural land use over the next 20 years to a location for new housing and employment opportunities in the region.
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Who is responsible for approving the road upgrade?
Transport for NSW is responsible for making a determination on the Appin Road Upgrade. Please read their Community Update (January 2024) on the Project Determination which states that the NSW Government has approved for Lendlease to fund and deliver the Appin Road upgrade (Mount Gilead to Ambarvale) project as part of a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA).
For further information on the approval process, please contact Transport on 1800 684 490 or email projects@transport.nsw.gov.au.
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What about other sections of Appin Road?
Further safety upgrades and improvements are also planned along the rest of Appin Road by Transport for NSW, with more information visit their website.
- Where can I find previous community updates and other documents?
