The federal government’s recent listing of the koala as Endangered is a sad but important announcement.
Sad because it confirms the ongoing decline in koala numbers, especially when adding in the massive loss of animals and habitat in the bushfires.
Important because it puts a greater focus and urgency on the issue.
Finally, it should see the federal government implement a Recovery Plan that successive governments failed to do when the koala was listed as vulnerable 10 years ago.
The Federal Minister says they will boost the level of protection under the EPBC Act, which has abjectly failed koalas in the past by approving developments without consideration of cumulative impacts (we call it ‘death by a thousand cuts’).
But will the decision lead to improved outcomes for koalas?
The Environmental Defenders Office has done a detailed outline of the implications and does finish with the word of caution:
‘While the decision is a welcome step towards recognising the plight of koalas in NSW, Qld and the ACT, without further intervention to address key threats to koalas, including habitat degradation and loss and climate change, the decision alone is unlikely to be enough to reverse trends in declining koala numbers. Previous EDO analysis highlights that the failure to adequately identify and protect koala habitat, flexible offsetting rules, poorly implemented land clearing laws, and inadequate safeguards against logging impacts are all contributing to the ongoing decline in koala populations. Without further action, the koala may very well end up being listed as Critically Endangered or, as current predictions suggest, Extinct in certain parts of Australia’.
Wake Up call
The Endangered listing needs to be a very loud wake-up call for all levels of government, stakeholders and community to make a conscious and concerted effort to turn things around for this iconic, much-loved species.
We want to see all three levels of government carefully look at their legislation, policy and procedures and urgently address weaknesses that contribute to what citizens see all the time on the ground. Various omissions and exemptions that see koalas getting little and often no consideration for their habitat, safety or future.
It frustrates us no end to be told or see documented that local bushland where koalas live is not ‘koala habitat’ because the State definition in the Act is habitat that they have mapped as such – but only in SEQ!
Semantics that undermine conservation efforts and needs to change.
At the local government level, we are pleased to see Council has finally reintroduced instruments to help protect our region’s biodiversity. We look forward to Council engaging the community in the process of developing the new Planning Scheme. As our region grows, we more than ever need sensitive, smart, and sustainable development that preserves our natural environment and the unique wildlife with which we share this country.
Koala Action Gympie Region KAGR conservation group formed eight years ago with the aim of engaging our community in helping to preserve our region’s koalas into the future.
We set about building up information on our region’s koalas, as there was very little data and no monitoring of where koala populations remained and how they were going. Importantly we set about raising awareness and being a voice for koalas.
Tips how to help koalas can be found in brochures, on our website, www.facebook.com/koalagympie, at talks and stalls, and in press articles like this.
But there is SO much more that can and needs to happen. With the Endangered listing, we are putting the call out far and wide.
Why not have a conversation in your business, company, workplace, club or neighbourhood.
Be creative.
An example is a transport company who travels on koala hot-spot roads, could consider a voluntary lower speed limit in ‘koala peak-hours’ during breeding season.
Growing residential areas like Jones Hill and Southside are spots where many koalas live, and we would like to see a ‘Koala-friendly’ community concept where residents help ensure their safety, health and ongoing presence.
Something we and many residents would like to see is contractors doing vegetation clearing of bushland insist on having an experienced fauna spotter on site, to check for animals in hollows, active bird nests, koalas etc. They can put up a sign to let community know a spotter is on site.
We are happy to discuss ideas, provide material, or even a guest speaker.
How can you help?
- We need to firstly protect the habitats where koalas live and help improve and connect these areas. Our website’s Habitat page at www.kagr.org.au has info and a form to express interest in support with a habitat planting.
- Residents can really help by reporting koala sightings in Wildwatch Gympie. Data collected though citizen-science is vital to helping any endangered species. Find Gympie Council’s WILDWATCH application at www.gympie.qld.gov.au/wildwatch.
Creating a more koala-aware community is our mission. Want to get more involved? Why not become a member, via www.kagr.org.au.
