Is Redland City Council doing enough for koala conservation? – Photo: Chris Walker
Progress made in implementing Redland City Council’s Koala Conservation Action Plan will be discussed by councillors at Wednesday’s general meeting.
Decline in koala numbers
An 80% decline in koala population densities between 1996 and 2014 for the Redlands and nearby areas (the “Koala Coast”) was identified in a report to the State Government in 2015.
The State Government sought advice from an Expert Panel which produced an Interim Report in March 2017. The Panel’s Final Report was due to be released by mid 2017 but it has not yet been made publicly available.
Meanwhile, developers continue to clear koala habitat and koala numbers decline further in south east Queensland.
In the absence of clear direction from the State Government, Redland City Council has been proceeding with its own plans which aim to maintain viable koala populations in Redland City.
Redland City Council’s Koala Conservation Action Plan
The Koala Conservation Action Plan was adopted by Council in December 2016 together with a Koala Conservation Strategy 2016 to:
guide management actions to retain a viable koala population, and conserve and manage suitable habitat both on the mainland and North Stradbroke Island
Threats to koalas which the Council’s Action Plan seeks to address, at an estimated cost off $880,000 per year, include:
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Road mortality
- Dog attacks
- Disease
- Climate change
Officers say Council is making good progress
Redland City Council is making good progress in the implementation of the Action Plan, according to the officers report (item 11.2.6 on the meeting agenda).
During the past year, Redland City Council purchased a 32,480m² property at 80-86 South Street, Thornlands which is identified for koala habitat restoration works and as a priority wildlife corridor.
1,851 koala food trees were planted by the Council last year, together with 77,703 “habitat plants”.
The officers progress report also says:
Key areas of focus during 2017 have been the adoption of the koala conservation program budget; recruitment of a project officer and the commencement of recruitment for a part-time education officer role.
The planning and design for koala population and monitoring programs is underway and is considered the highest priority action. Implementation of other programs will begin in the second half of this financial year, once data and research is compiled and reviewed.
Council’s priority actions for next financial year 2018/2019 will include:
- habitat enhancement
- koala movement solutions
- community engagement
- recruitment of a Koala Conservation Agreement Program Officer to enhance property owner stewardship of koala habitat.
Is it enough?
While the Council implements its Koala Conservation Action Plan, developers clear fell large areas for small lot housing developments. In existing urban areas large treed blocks are split into smaller blocks which end up being cleared. Loopholes in local laws and the planning scheme are exploited to allow clearing of koala trees.
When the Council adopted its current Koala Conservation Strategy and Action Plan in 2016, no effort was made to consult with the community about an issue which concerns many in the community.
The Council will soon be consulting with the Redlands community about proposed amendments to the Council’s five year corporate plan.
This will be an opportunity for people concerned about declining koala numbers to have their say about the adequacy of Redland City Council’s koala conservation efforts.
Further reading:
Koalas are an asset for Redlands tourism
Koala group calls for Toondah plan’s rejection
Koalas need protection now dear Minister
Queensland koalas thrive in Budapest
Redlands2030 – 20 February 2018
Please note: Offensive or off-topic comments will be deleted. If offended by any published comment please email thereporter@redlands2030.net
3 Comments
The Redland City Council surely needs to publish the results of the 2008-2012 $10M RCC koala program first .
How is the Plan to be implemented in the Planning Scheme when there is little guidance policy or mapping in the SEQ Regional Plan ?. or State Koala Plan? or is to be left out ?
The Environment Ministers Interim Koala Plan Report 2017 needs some critique,
Are there any Koala Tipping Point Population surveys?
Is there any reform of the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices to drop the bushland road speeds on the rat runs for pedestrians, horses and wildlife in the Koala Coast ?
Is there a program to plant landscape wide corridors like Doraghys Corridor near lake Barrine National Park ?
What has happened to the coordination of 4 Agencies over the Koala Coordinated Conservation Area?
Are ground travelling koalas to be afforded additional protection against dogs and Mountain Bikes?
As a retired senior biologist I can tell you that the figure stated by the State Government in 2015 of an 80% loss in koalas from the Redlands and Koala Coast since 1966 is a very conservative figure and probably an underestimate. Yet in 2017 and 2018 we still have certain councillors, and I will not name names, coming out openly in press interviews to support dodgy housing development proposals in the Redlands that wipe out large areas of mature koala habitat. Other councillors are trying to bring a balance between development and rampant tree clearing but they are fighting an uphill battle. Just last year a Redland Council magazine had an article submitted by Indigiscapes, showing a young man hugging a pole (tree) with the request to Redlanders to help on National Tree Day to plant 2000 saplings. Meanwhile whole areas of mature trees are being felled with Council approval to make way for small lot housing. When will the Council get serious about protecting the wildlife of the Redlands, particularly the diminishing koala population? Some of these same councillors, who pave the way for tree clearing of mature koala habitat, have the hyde to talk about wanting to boost tourism.