2020-01-16 Ordinary Meeting Agenda

ORDINARY MEETING AGENDA                                                         16 JANUARY 2020


The Queensland Government supported the recommendations of the expert panel. In 2018, a Koala
Advisory Council was formed to coordinate the development of a strategy to deliver the
recommended actions. The Draft South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2019-2024
was publicly released on 8 December 2019 and submissions are invited from the community up until
Friday 31 January 2020.
The Draft Strategy has identified a number of objectives for implementing the recommendations of
the Koala Expert Panel:
1.    A strategic and coordinated approach to koala conservation
The Queensland Government proposes a collaborative approach across multiple stakeholders to
help conserve koalas. It is proposed to build a central knowledge base and develop online data and
information sharing platforms. Researchers, policy makers and managers will also be able to share
information through regular forums such as ‘Koala Collab’ which has successfully been run in the
past.
2.    Koala habitat is protected
Competition for land is high. The human population in SEQ is set to increase to 5.3 million by 2041
and the areas that humans prefer to occupy are often favoured by koalas.
The Draft Strategy identifies a target of no nett loss of koala habitat. To achieve this the Queensland
Government intends to introduce major reforms to the SEQ planning framework to protect remaining
koala habitat. New koala habitat maps have been developed which include Koala Priority Areas
(KPA’s). KPA’s are large areas that contain core koala habitat and areas suitable for restoration, that
experts believe will need to be protected to ensure the long term sustainability of koala populations.
A prohibition of clearing of koala habitat within KPA’s is proposed under the Strategy, subject to
exemptions necessary for property maintenance and safety. Developments outside of the KPA will
need to avoid, mitigate or offset any residual impacts to koala habitat.
The recent bushfires has highlighted the multiple threats that koalas face. Subsequent vegetation
clearing for property protection can further reduce the extent and connectivity of koala habitat.
3.    Strategic and landscape-scale koala habitat restoration
The new koala habitat mapping also includes the identification of areas most suitable for habitat
restoration. The delivery of restoration works may be achieved with the new ‘Koala Habitat
Restoration Partner Program’ (a $2 million dollar partnership with Queensland Trust for Nature),
carbon farming projects under the Land Restoration Fund, or through the Environmental Offsets
Framework. The Draft Strategy proposes that the Queensland Government will aim to achieve
1000ha of habitat restoration over the next 5 years. Council officers are working with the Queensland
Government to seek opportunities to fund koala habitat restoration projects within Noosa Shire.
4.    Coordinated threat reduction and koala population management
Habitat loss, dog attack, vehicle strike and disease has collectively impacted on SEQ koala
populations. Coastal areas in Noosa Shire appear to be experiencing a decline in koalas but
anecdotally koala population numbers may be improving in some rural areas.
The Draft Strategy aims to have no long-term decline in koala population densities at representative
sites. For high-risk areas it has a target of reducing koala injury and mortality by 25% across ten
road hotspots in SEQ. Other measures include support for koala hospitals, continued investment in
research funding, public koala awareness campaigns and the stream-lining of koala translocation
and release policies.
5.    Strong community engagement and partnerships
The Draft Strategy discussed the importance of engaging with Traditional Owners, volunteers and
the general public concerning koala conservation and the benefits of education and extension and
citizen science projects.



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