2015-07-21 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

Page 76 of 140

ATTACHMENT 2

  | @        Niele.                                                Council Policy
                      FAIL
  | @ |      COUNCH                          KOALA CONSERVATION

 Corporate Plan Reference:              Custodianship of Noosa’s Environment

 Endorsed by Council:

 Policy Author:                         Planning and Environment Branch

INTRODUCTION
Noosa Shire's open space and vegetation networks set it apart from other coastal areas of South-
east Queensland. This vegetation is habitat for many native species including koalas. Koalas are of
great interest to residents and visitors and are listed under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act as ‘vulnerable’ in Queensland. A Koala Conservation Policy has
been developed to help guide Council and the community with the conservation and protection of
Noosa’s koalas.
POLICY PURPOSE
The purpose of the Noosa Council Koala Conservation Policy is to provide a coordinated and
structured framework to help conserve and protect koala populations and habitat within the Noosa
Shire.
POLICY OUTCOMES
This policy seeks to achieve the following outcomes:
.     Protection and conservation of koala populations and habitat;
©     Minimal or no interference with the natural movement and behaviour of koalas;
°     Improved understanding of the distribution, abundance and health of koalas;
°     More informed decision making when assessing developments and implementing Council
      capital and operational works;
*     Increased community awareness and participation with koala conservation; and
.     The development of a Koala Conservation Plan to guide implementation of this Policy.
POLICY SCOPE
This is a Shire-wide policy and applies to public and private lands.
This policy is sub-ordinate to State and National koala legislation and policy and does not replace
such provisions. Further information can be found in the Noosa Council Koala Conservation Policy-
Background Paper.
POLICY CONTEXT
Measures to conserve and protect koalas and their habitat will align with other strategies, policies
and plans, such as the Noosa Plan, the Environment Levy Policy and the Tree Management on
Public Land Policy.

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