2019-12-10 P&E Agenda - Item 6 - Attachment 1 - NBRF Annual Report 2018-19

KOALA FOREVER NOOSA

The overarching objective of the Koala Forever Noosa project is to secure the long-term survival of koalas in the Noosa
Biosphere Reserve, and to develop an initial blueprint for wild koala eco-tourism within it. To do so, the project will focus
on, identification of conserved koala and vegetation corridors across the Noosa Biosphere Reserve. This project will
also contribute as a case study for WWF-Australia (an important project Partner) in the context of the establishment of
a functional koala corridor from Brisbane to the Fraser Coast. Protecting koala populations from fragmentation through
protection of a functioning corridor network is an important initiative in reducing the risk of extinction to local koala
populations.

In early 2019, following a thorough review of available vegetation mapping data sets, GIS analysis of vegetation across
the biosphere was completed, with important koala corridors identified. The criteria that was used to map important
koala corridors included corridor width, connectivity to adjacent patches, vegetation type and the presence of koala
records. Field surveys with detection dogs were then completed across a range of sites throughout the koala corridor
network. In all 155 sites were surveyed with koala presence detected at 78 sites (50%). From the surveys, 135 fresh
koala scat were collected for genetic analysis. Genetic analysis has commenced and it is currently forecast that data will
be available by December 2019. The information will be used to inform the identification of important koala corridors that
provide for genetic movement throughout the local koala population and the potential to link to other koala populations
across the region.

The Project is currently approximately 4 months behind schedule, largely due to delays to access State conservation
network (Ringtail and Yurol State Forests) for surveys with the use of the detection dogs (note dogs are not permitted
in the Qld Conservation Estate). This was overcome after a 3 month delay in permitting. From the end of 2019 USC will
collaborate closely with NPA to commence work on defining an ecotourism blueprint by mid-2020.


                                       USC NOOSA KOALA FOREVER PROJECT

      NBRF FUNDING                   CASH & IN-KIND                 PROJECT VALUE                      LEVERAGE

           $40,000                        $90,000                        $130,000                          3.2:1




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