March 1 - 31, 2026: Issue 652

 

Council - local politicians back Ingleside fauna corridor land campaign: Update

Local MPs have joined councillors in calling for land next to the wildlife crossings at Ingleside to be protected from residential development.

The land adjacent to the fauna bridge across Mona Vale Rd East enables wildlife to cross from the bushland of Ingleside Chase Reserve, via the overpass or fauna underpass, to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.

Fauna overpass on Mona Vale Road East looking towards Ingleside Chase Reserve   Photo D Palmer

However, under the draft Northern Beaches Council Local Environment Plan, the land, owned by the NSW Planning Department, will be zoned C3 which will allow houses to be built on it.

Council staff say the state Planning Department would have to grant permission for the land to be “downzoned” to C2 - which would prevent that development. 

At its meeting on February 17, Cr Miranda Korzy proposed a motion asking Council to take action to find ways to protect the bushland corridor, which was passed by councillors.

Council has now sent correspondence to a number of state government departments, including Planning, seeking their co-operation.

Pittwater Natural Heritage Association has also gained the support of Pittwater state MP Jacqui Scruby and Wakehurst state MP Michael Regan.

Ms Scruby said she supported Pittwater Natural Heritage Association’s call for the land next to the fauna crossings on Mona Vale Road East to be protected.

“If this doesn’t happen, the significant investment already made in building the wildlife crossings will effectively have been wasted,” she said.

Pittwater Natural Heritage Association secretary David Palmer welcomed the action by Northern Beaches Council.

“Thanks to Cr Korzy and all Northern Beaches Councillors for resolving to take action, and MPs Jacqui Scruby and Michael Regan for supporting us,” Mr Palmer said.

“This is a significant step on the way to preventing native animals which use the fauna bridge and underpass to cross Mona Vale Road East from being blocked by houses and backyard fences.”

Ms Korzy said she was grateful for the strong support on the issue.

“The unanimous vote by councillors and now the support of our local MPs indicates the high priority that residents place on wildlife protection,” Ms Korzy said.

See February 2026 report: The fauna bridge on Mona Vale Road East – will it be a bridge to nowhere?

Fauna bridge on Mona Vale Road East. Ingleside Chase Reserve is on left. Photo David Palmer

The land is a critical element in the pathway for native fauna populations in Ingleside Chase reserve to cross Mona Vale Road east and disperse through bushland in Ingleside to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. 

The land was set aside in the 2016 Ingleside Precinct Structure Plan, and marked as a fauna corridor. This was part of an agreement between Transport for NSW, (then RMS) and the NSW Department of Planning to create a corridor, fauna underpass and fauna bridge over Mona Vale Road East which would link Ingleside Chase Reserve with Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. 

However, in the new Local Environment Plan for the Northern Beaches this land has been zoned C3 which allows housing. If houses are built on it, then native animals which cross the fauna bridge or use the underpass will have nowhere to go.

Pittwater Natural Heritage Association secretary David Palmer is calling for action by the Department of Planning to remedy the situation. 

PNHA member Jacqui Marlow has been involved in rescuing native fauna in the area for many years. She says that protection of the fauna corridor land is critical for the long-term survival of native animals. 

She explained that “If native animals are not able to move between habitats, they will face gradual population decline leading to local extinction. We have many threatened mammals and birds in Ingleside Chase reserve including Eastern Pygmy Possums, which are listed as vulnerable in NSW. They depend on being able to move safely through the landscape to find food, shelter and mates.”

Eastern Pygmy possum near the fauna bridge on Mona Vale Road East. Photo David Palmer

The map below shows recorded sightings of Eastern Pygmy Possums on both sides of the fauna bridge and underpass on Mona Vale Road East.

Eastern Pygmy Possum sightings near the fauna bridge and underpass on Mona Vale Rd east. Image: Atlas of living Australia 2025

Native animals have been photographed using the fauna bridge, showing that it is working, and as the vegetation on and around it grows thicker, more animals will use it. But if, after crossing the fauna bridge, animals encounter back yards, fences and domestic pets, then it will prove to be a bridge to nowhere.

Previous to 2026 reports:

Mona Vale Road (East) Upgrade: Fauna Bridge Supports Installed - August 2023

Mona Vale Road Upgrade Update: Fauna fencing to be installed during construction  + June night works - June 2019

Sydney's first Fauna Overpass to be installed on Mona Vale Road - March 2018

Reducing Roadkill On Mona Vale Road - September 2017

Bill to Facilitate Mona Vale Road Upgrades Passes: Vital Fauna Bridge Discussed - June 2016

Connecting Wildlife Habitats to Prevent Road Kill - August 2014

Once Was Barrenjoey - August 2014

Background

In 2014 Pittwater Natural Heritage Association, Wildlife Roadkill Prevention Association (Northern Beaches) and Katandra Bushland Sanctuary Trust began campaigning to connect threatened bushland reserves in the Pittwater area in a bid to help stop the decline of our native fauna.

According to information gathered by local wildlife volunteers in 2015 – 2016 over 53 wallabies died on Mona Vale Road between Terrey Hills and Mona Vale. Although Wallabies were counted as an indicator species, many other native species have also died on Mona Vale Road, including possums and echidnas. These distressing statistics sparked members of these community groups into calling for action to reduce roadkill on this road.

In May 2016, when the National Parks and Wildlife Amendment (Adjustment of Areas) Bill 2016 was passed on Tuesday, May 31st, 2016 part of the speeches during the Reading of this Bill focused on the necessity to make provision for a fauna bridge or bridges.

In September 2017, after years of lobbying NSW Roads and Maritime Services to get more fauna underpasses and overpasses included in the upgrade of Mona Vale Road East, Jacqui Marlow, Marita Macrae and David Palmer of Pittwater Natural Heritage Association were told at a meeting with NSW Roads and Maritime Services that the fauna crossings they had been campaigning for were now included in the final plans for the eastern section of the road upgrade.

This completed the suite of fauna road crossings that have been planned for the upgraded Mona Vale Road between Mona Vale and Terrey Hills. This included both sides of the road being fenced along its entire length to guide native animals to the crossing sites.

In March 2018 the officially announcement confirming the MVR West Upgrade fauna bridge was made.

There were actually 4 fauna passes - 2 for East and 2 for West - 2 x bridges and 2 x underpass, as stated in 2018. This is the result of work by PNHA and WRPA in concert with the great staff at Transport for NSW/RMS over a few years - they commenced talks about this soon after the project was announced - along with support and backing from former Pittwater MP Rob Stokes.