State Government helps councils map key koala habitat
Published Thursday, 07 June, 2007 at 10:37 AM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Four local governments in south-east Queensland have received EPA funding to map koala habitat in their areas, Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said today.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the EPA had allocated a total of $126,832 for koala habitat mapping to Caloundra City Council, and to a syndicate comprising Caboolture Shire Council, Pine Rivers Shire Council and Redcliffe City Council.
“This is a key step to conserving a species that is vulnerable in the state’s south-east,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Koala habitat mapping is a key commitment under the Koala Plan the State Government put in place last year and will identify previously unmapped habitat areas within south-east Queensland so additional protective measures can be put in place where needed.
“Over four years, the EPA will offer local governments in south-east Queensland the chance to apply for funding to undertake koala habitat mapping on a dollar for dollar basis.
“This is the first of four funding rounds and I would like to congratulate the successful applicants.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the four councils had engaged consultants to work with their officers to estimate koala distribution and abundance.
“This mapping data, due to be completed by June 2009, will allow koala habitat areas to be protected from inappropriate development.
“These koala population surveys will assist local governments to undertake planning actions to protect koala numbers in their shires.
“They will also allow the EPA to expand its work with councils to assess proposed development against koala conservation criteria.
“The mapping, which will use scientifically accepted methods, will be undertaken by people with expertise in conducting fauna, flora or ecological assessments of a site and skills in koala detection and eucalypt identification.”
The 2007/2008 funding round has opened for applications. South-east Queensland local governments are encouraged to apply for the second round of koala habitat mapping funding by 31 August 2007.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002
Ms Nelson-Carr said the EPA had allocated a total of $126,832 for koala habitat mapping to Caloundra City Council, and to a syndicate comprising Caboolture Shire Council, Pine Rivers Shire Council and Redcliffe City Council.
“This is a key step to conserving a species that is vulnerable in the state’s south-east,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Koala habitat mapping is a key commitment under the Koala Plan the State Government put in place last year and will identify previously unmapped habitat areas within south-east Queensland so additional protective measures can be put in place where needed.
“Over four years, the EPA will offer local governments in south-east Queensland the chance to apply for funding to undertake koala habitat mapping on a dollar for dollar basis.
“This is the first of four funding rounds and I would like to congratulate the successful applicants.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the four councils had engaged consultants to work with their officers to estimate koala distribution and abundance.
“This mapping data, due to be completed by June 2009, will allow koala habitat areas to be protected from inappropriate development.
“These koala population surveys will assist local governments to undertake planning actions to protect koala numbers in their shires.
“They will also allow the EPA to expand its work with councils to assess proposed development against koala conservation criteria.
“The mapping, which will use scientifically accepted methods, will be undertaken by people with expertise in conducting fauna, flora or ecological assessments of a site and skills in koala detection and eucalypt identification.”
The 2007/2008 funding round has opened for applications. South-east Queensland local governments are encouraged to apply for the second round of koala habitat mapping funding by 31 August 2007.
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002