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

       Minister’s foreword
       The koala is the quintessential Australian animal;
       a species of state, national and international
       importance—a natural and cultural heritage icon.
       In Queensland, the greatest concentration of koalas
       is in South East Queensland where they compete for
       space with a rapidly growing population and high      The identification of Koala Priority Areas will allow
       demand for development. As well as habitat loss,      us to direct Government investment and other
       they face threats from vehicle strikes, dog attacks   actions—such as restoration and threat mitigation—
       and disease.                                          in places where they have the highest likelihood of
                                                             success for koala conservation.
       Safeguarding the survival of koala populations and
       habitat amid our state’s growing South East is a      The Strategy also proposes new ways that we
       complex task—but one that must be addressed. The      can further protect koalas through strategic
       Queensland Government is committed to protecting      coordination, habitat restoration, threat mitigation
       koalas and appointed the Koala Expert Panel to        and community action.
       provide advice on their future protection.            I invite comments from all Queenslanders on this
       The South East Queensland Koala Conservation          Strategy. Submissions can be made online at
       Strategy outlines how the Government is delivering    www.qld.gov.au/SEQkoalas.
       on the Panel’s six recommendations for improving      This Strategy is an important step to delivering a
       koala conservation measures.                          strong coordinated approach to koala conservation
       It is essential that we do not lose any more of       in South East Queensland.
       the best quality koala habitat. As a core part of
       this Strategy, the Queensland Government has
       introduced new mapping of koala habitat across
       South East Queensland.                                Leeanne Enoch MP
                                                             Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef
                                                             Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts




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