2020-01-16 OM Agenda - Item 1 - Attachment 1 - Draft SEQ Koala Conservation Strategy 2019-2024

                                                         DRAFT South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2019–2024




3. Habitat restoration for koalas

Objective: Strategic and landscape-scale koala habitat restoration

Given the decline in koala populations and habitat,
                                                         Koala Expert Panel recommendation:
habitat restoration, to complement any protection
                                                         Develop and adequately resource regulatory,
measures, is necessary for population recovery.
                                                         incentive and partnership mechanisms to achieve
Meaningful engagement with, and appropriate              strategic koala habitat restoration at landscape-
incentives for, landholders is proposed, in order        scales in SEQ, particularly in identified priority areas.
to encourage koala habitat restoration on private
land. Restoration is critically important as this can
increase the overall habitat available for koalas        An advantage of prioritising restoration in KPA is
and increases the connectivity between areas of          that over time, as areas are established, they will
habitat.                                                 be protected through updates to mapping. Map F
                                                         identifies the priority areas for habitat restoration,
KPA include areas that are suitable for offset
                                                         identified as ‘Koala Rehabilitation Areas’.
delivery and habitat restoration programs.These
areas have been identified as appropriate for
rehabilitation, based on the suitability of regional
                                                         Koala Habitat Restoration Partnership
ecosystems, and consideration of threats such            Program
as proximity to major roads, heat stress, urban          The Queensland Government has established a
development, and opportunities such as proximity         five-year partnership agreement with Queensland
to existing conservation areas.                          Trust for Nature to deliver on-ground koala habitat
                                                         restoration in priority areas through partnerships
A large proportion of koala habitat in SEQ is on
                                                         with landholders and local governments.
privately-owned land. Hence, conservation on
private land is crucial for the species’ survival.
Targeted investment will encourage and assist
landholders to manage their land for conservation
of koala habitat.
The Queensland Government’s $500 million Land
Restoration Fund may contribute to koala habitat
rehabilitation by supporting carbon farming
projects that deliver clear environmental and
economic benefits, including improved soil and
landscape health.


Habitat restoration within the Koala
Priority Areas
The methodology used to define the mapping for
koala habitat areas has also been used to identify
areas that will be most suited for habitat restoration
and offset liabilities.
Within KPA, 150,700 ha has been identified as being
suitable for restoration.



                                                         Map F: SEQ—restoration areas map

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