Koala response strategy
Urgent action is needed to protect the region’s koalas, which are under serious threat due to development, cars, dogs and disease.
The Queensland Government is showing leadership on koala conservation in south-east Queensland. Its Koala Response Strategy has been in place since December 2008 to halt the decline in koala numbers in the region.
On 31 October 2009 the government announced it is committing an additional $15M to the Koala Response Strategy to protect south-east Queensland’s koalas. The priority is securing habitat corridors and restoring cleared habitat, with a focus in the Pine Rivers and Koala Coast areas.
Read more about what the Queensland Government is doing to protect SEQ’s koalas.
Already this year the government has achieved the following:
- Protected an additional 52,000 hectares of koala habitat
- Implemented a state freeze on clearing and disposing of all State-owned land until the State planning instruments are finalised
- Undertaken a comprehensive koala habitat mapping project
- Released a model local law for councils to help reduce dogs attacks on koalas
- Given notice of its intent to prepare a State Planning Policy covering planning and development in koala habitat areas in south-east Queensland
- Released an exposure draft (PDF)* of its proposed koala conservation State Planning Regulatory Provisions (SPRP), for consultation with councils
- Put a temporary hold on bushland being cleared until the new State planning instruments are finalised later in 2009
- Commenced planning for a $10M trial on retrofitting wildlife crossings and underpasses on south-east Queensland’s hot spot roads to reduce koala strikes
- Committed to ensuring all new state roads and upgrades are koala-friendly
Read more about what the government has achieved through the Koala Response Strategy.
Ban on bushland habitat clearing
Amended South East Queensland Koala State Planning Regulatory Provisions (PDF)* came into effect on 2 November 2009. This puts an immediate temporary ban on clearing identified bushland habitat in south-east Queensland until the proposed state planning instruments are finalised.
Everyone has a role to play
Government alone can’t save south-east Queensland’s koalas. Government, councils, developers and the community all need to work together to ensure their survival.
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Last updated: 28 October 2009