Expert workshop convened for koalas

The Palaszczuk Government today (Monday) convened an expert workshop in Brisbane to plan initiatives aimed at improving koala conservation in south-east Queensland.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles said the workshop marked the government’s initial consultation with experts in koala conservation and other fields, to consider future strategies to ensure the long-term survival of koalas in the wild in the state’s south-east.

“This workshop and the important work that will follow will be instrumental in determining the most appropriate actions for koala conservation from this point,” Dr Miles said.

“We had experts attending from various areas of conservation science, the conservation sector, and land use planning - including Associate Professor Jonathan Rhodes, a recognised koala expert from the University of Queensland, who has already assisted us with koala research,’ he said.

A recent UQ report by a team led by Associate Professor Rhodes found koala population densities along Brisbane’s south-eastern suburbs dropped around 80% between 1996 and 2014.

To Brisbane’s north, in the Pine Rivers region, koala population densities fell around 54% over the same period.

Dr Miles said the “uncomfortable but clear message” from these statistics was that work to date had not guaranteed the koalas’ future in south-east Queensland.

“It might be that change, and possibly fundamental change, is needed,’’ he said.

The workshop late today agreed on the make-up of a three-member panel to provide ongoing expert advice on an appropriate response to the continued decline of koalas in south-east Queensland.

Associate Professor Rhodes, who will chair the panel, will be joined by Dr Alistair Melzer, from the Central Queensland University’s Koala Research Centre; and Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation general manager/director, Mr Al Mucci.

Associate Professor Rhodes said it was clear a re-think was needed about how koalas were protected in south-east Queensland.

“Our recent koala population study was a wake-up call for the need for more effective and evidence-based solutions,’ he said.

“We want to take the most appropriate and realistic actions to ensure the long-term existence of viable wild koala populations.

“The expert panel set up by the Government will now provide clear and independent advice on how best this can be achieved.”

Dr Miles said last month’s State Budget delivered an additional $12 million to boost koala conservation measures and improve population surveys over the next four years. 

“Koalas in south-east Queensland continue to face threats including increasing urban development encroaching on koala habitat, rising incidences of vehicle strike and attack from dogs and other animals, and disease.

“These are the driving reasons we ensured there was increased funding in the budget to enhance our koala conservation initiatives,” he said.

ENDS

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