Several hundred people marched through Cleveland yesterday to demonstrate their support for protection of habitat for koalas and other wildlife – in Redlands and elsewhere in southeast Queensland.
People gathered at Raby Bay Harbour Park for a briefing then marched up Shore Street West and into Waterloo Street before pausing at the offices of State MP Amanda Stoker (LNP) where the crowd performed the Ormiston College Koala Song.
Then the procession moved around the corner and up queen Street to the offices of Federal MP Henry Pike (LNP) for a couple more renditions of the Ormiston College Koala Song.
The march continued up Doig Street then turned right into Middle Street going past the Crazy Day Markets in Bloomfield Street before returning to Raby Bay Harbour Park via Wynyard Street and Shore Street West.
The koala march was carefully escorted and assisted by more than a dozen Queensland Police Officers who were thanked and applauded by after the event.
People marching were drawing attention to many current threats to koala habitat in the Redland including:
- The State Government’s Ministerial Infrastructure Designation for Ormiston College
- The State Government’s plans for 8,000 dwellings in the 890 hectare Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area (PDA)
- Calls by developers and some Redland City Councillors for rural land in Mount Cotton to be added to the SEQ urban footprint
Folk from elsewhere in southeast Queensland participated, including protesters calling for Woogeroo Forest in Ipswich to be saved.
Australians support protection of koala habitat
Yesterday, the Australia Institute released new polling showing overwhelming public support to protect koala habitat. The poll found that 82% of Australians think that governments have an obligation to protect koala forest habitats.
The poll of 2,367 Australians was conducted in August 2026. It provides a representative sample of public opinion in Australia and is compliant with the
requirements of the Australian Polling Council.
Photos from the march for koalas in Cleveland on 12 August 2026
Have your say to help protect koalas
People power can make a difference. Here are some things that you can do to help improve protection of koala habitat.
- Sign this petition to Queensland Parliament calling on the State Government to sort out who is responsible and accountable for ensuring that Ormiston College’s removal of koala habitat is done in compliance with the State Government’s MID conditions?
- Sign an email letter to Deputy Premier Jarrod Bliejie asking that the Queensland Government commit to stringent oversight and enforcement to all State-approved developments affecting core koala habitat, including the Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area, the proposed Birkdale Olympic Whitewater Centre, the proposed Mt Cotton industrial area, and Redland Bay’s Heinemann Road sports precinct.
- Have your say about the State Government’s proposed development scheme for the Southern Thornlands PDA
- Comment on a request for a reconsideration of the Federal Government’s decision to not regulate Redland City Council’s proposal to develop the Birkdale Community Precinct and Redland Whitewater Centre.
