2016-07-12 Planning & Environment Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                      12 JULY 2016


The public submissions are summarised in Attachment 2. Recommendations have been made
on each of the submissions and where appropriate the Plan has been amended accordingly.
Most submissions concerned the following:
1.   Domestic and wild dog attacks
Most submissions received, concerned the impact of dogs on koala populations. Recent research
has demonstrated that wild and domestic dogs can be the greatest cause of koala deaths in a
local population, even greater than disease or car strike. The Koala Conservation Plan identifies
actions to manage domestic and wild dog attacks and the need for further research into the
impact of dogs on our local koala populations.
Dogs can also assist in the conservation of koalas. For example some submitters expressed the
importance of koala detection dogs in helping to assess the distribution and abundance of koalas
across the Shire.
2.   Translocation of koalas
A number of submitters proposed koala translocation as a measure to ‘restock’ local populations.
Whilst there are potential risks with translocation (disease transference, altering gene pools,
specific tree preferences), some translocations have been successful. Koala experts are calling
for a review of current State and Federal translocation policy. Council will continue to monitor any
changes to government policy on translocation.
3.   Funding for research
Submitters expressed the need for more research funding. Currently there are two key research
initiatives being progressed in Noosa.
The Noosa Biosphere® Reserve Foundation has granted $65,000 to support the University of
Sunshine Coast Koala Health Mapping Project. Using koala detection dogs, koala ‘scats’ can be
collected and analysed for DNA and health indicators. Daniel Nugent ([email protected])
from the University of Sunshine Coast is calling for expressions of interest from landholders who
may wish to be part of the research and have ‘Maya’ or ‘Baxter’ the koala ‘poo’ detection dogs
check their property for koala activity.
The Richard Branson Koala Conservancy, in cooperation with Queensland Koala Crusaders, is a
fundraising organisation to support koala research and conservation. It is proposed that key
koala experts (Dr Jon Hanger and Professor Peter Timms) work with the University of Sunshine
Coast team to expand research initiatives. Local koalas are to be GPS tracked to gain an
understanding of local koala movements and survival.
Recently the Queensland Government announced it would commit $12 million to fund koala
conservation efforts over the next four years. Council will be lodging an expression of interest to
be part of the program.
4.   Support for community initiatives
More support for community initiatives such as free trees, incentives for landholders to replant
koala corridors, fauna care organisations and education programs. These suggestions have been
incorporated in the Plan and are be subject to budget considerations at the time.
5.   Impacts of development
Several submitters suggested completely stopping development in koala habitat areas.
Development is discussed in the Plan and Council will continue to avoid, mitigate, offset the
impacts of development where legal mechanisms allow. Discussions will continue with the State
Government on development controls particularly in relation to the new South-east Queensland
Regional Plan.
6.   Harsher penalties for illegal tree clearing
Submitters requested that Council implement harsher penalties for illegal tree clearing. The
review and investigation of penalties is an action in the Koala Plan.

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