HIGHLANDS residents have been busy reporting their koala sightings to the Koala Hotline, launched last month by Wingecarribee Shire Council.
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WSC environmental projects officer Joe Stammers said there had been several sightings in the Highlands recently.
"A local resident spotted a koala and her joey along Diamond Fields Road, East Mittagong. It's so great to see what looks like a very happy and healthy mum and bub," Mr Stammers said.
A koala was also spotted in Canyonleigh on the road by several residents a few weeks ago.
"Thanks to the residents who have contacted us with their concerns as to its health," Mr Stammers said.
"Hopefully one of the local wildlife carers will be able to locate it soon and get it the care it needs - please let us know if you see this koala again."
The Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife has also come on board and setup a page for people to support the koala project.
The project has been named the Southern Highlands Koala Conservation Project and details can be found by clicking here.
Mr Stammers said The Southern Highlands Koala Conservation Project had just received its first private donation, with an Alpine resident donating $3800.
"This donation enables the purchase of one GPS collar, which will be used in stage two of the local koala study being led by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage," he said.
Mr Stammers said they had received the database of koala sightings in the Southern Highlands from Associate Professor Rob Close.
"It dates all the way back to 1989, this is a fantastic addition to our data compilation."
A meeting is being held at Picton tomorrow which involves several government agencies, including Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Campbelltown Councils, Local Land Services, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage and Greening Australia.
The aim of the meeting will be to investigate a joint-agency approach to conserving the southern Sydney koala colony, which is coming under ever-increasing development pressure from Mittagong in the south up to Wilton, Appin and Wedderburn in the north.
Community members can report koala sightings by calling 4868 0888 or on council's Facebook page.
