Australia’s rare and unique Platypus is under threat in the Hartley Valley in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.  A major motorway upgrade is planned, with five bridges in six kilometres, that will have massive impacts on the streams and banks of the River Lett that a population of this unique duck billed mammal calls home. 

Environmental planning documents for the proposed motorway don't even identify the existence of the River Lett platypus population that has been filmed living just metres from the proposed major intersection of the Great Western Highway and Jenolan Caves Road.

The Central Tablelands platypus population has been decimated by the recent years of drought and  the worst bush fires in memory. 

Previous road upgrades have already destroyed another population of platypus in neighboring Whites Creek.

“The platypus is seen nowhere else on the planet and like so many of our other precious native species, its future is uncertain.” NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean recently acknowledged. 

We need to see these words backed up with action. We demand a full Environmental Impact Statement associated with the proposed highway upgrade to ensure this recovering platypus population has a chance to survive.