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

Action area 4: Threat management
KEP objective: Coordinated threat reduction and koala population management

KEP recommendation                               2018 government response
4a) Undertake a threat assessment across         •   The Queensland Government will use spatial modelling to identify threats to koalas and
SEQ to quantify and map threats to koalas            priority areas for threat reduction.
from habitat loss, vehicle collisions, dog       •   The Queensland Government will develop a consistent approach to mapping threats to
attacks (domestic and wild dogs), disease,           koalas.
fire, and climate change.

4b) Identify priority locations for investment   •   The Queensland Government will use spatial modelling to identify threats to koalas and
in reducing existing and future threats from         priority areas for threat reduction.
vehicle collisions, dog attacks (domestic and
wild dogs), disease, and fire.
4c) Resource a targeted and transparent          •   The Queensland Government will deliver a targeted and transparent threat reduction
threat reduction program across SEQ,                 program and evaluate initiatives including the retrofitting of existing roads.
in partnership with local governments,
particularly in identified priority areas for
koalas, NGOs, industry, and the community
using a range of initiatives.
4d) Review and develop a new koala               •   The Queensland Government will prepare a new Koala Conservation Strategy consistent
translocation policy.                                with best practice management for translocation, release of rehabilitation koalas, and the
                                                     release of captive bred koalas.
4e) Review policy on release of rehabilitated    •   The Queensland Government will prepare a new Koala Conservation Strategy consistent
koalas (currently in the State Koala                 with best practice management for translocation, release of rehabilitation koalas, and the
Conservation Plan) to consider allowing              release of captive bred koalas.
release more than 5 km from the capture site
when ongoing threats to the individual in the
vicinity of the capture site remain high.
4f) Identify where there is empty habitat        •   The Queensland Government will identify areas of empty koala habitat and reintroduce
in SEQ and consider the reintroduction of            koalas where appropriate.
koalas to these areas.
4g) Integrate zoo-based koala populations        •   The Queensland Government will prepare a new Koala Conservation Strategy consistent
more explicitly into the management of wild          with best practice management, including the recognition of both wild and captive koala
koala populations in SEQ, particularly in            populations.
urban areas.

Early action
The Queensland Government has already:
•      released the draft South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2019–2014 for public
       consultation
•      partnered with the City of Gold Coast to trial community engagement and behaviour change
       activities, in the 2018–19 breeding season.
2019–2024 potential future action
4.1    Partner with local government to deliver threat abatement opportunities.
4.2    Update the Fauna Sensitive Design Guide.
4.3    Integrate koala conservation into local government’s biosecurity planning.
4.4    Support the mitigation of threats of domestic dogs by working with local governments across
       SEQ.
4.5    Develop best-practice policies for koala rehabilitation.
4.6    Support training and development for koala carers.
4.7    Upgrade Moggill Rehab Centre.




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