REDLAND SHIRE COUNCIL KOALA SUMMIT
Published Friday, 02 November, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Redland Shire Council has been warned it must incorporate a more koala-friendly mentality in its approach to development or risk losing the national icon within 20 years.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, told a koala summit at Alexandra Hills today the complete destruction of the Redlands’ koala population could even occur sooner if the rate of development increases.
“The current rate of koala habitat destruction and fragmentation in the Redlands as a result of urbanisation must be slowed,” Mr McNamara said.
“If the Council and the community are serious about keeping koalas in the Shire, and if you really see them as a valuable part of the environment, then you can’t just rely on others.
“The biggest threat to the koala is the impact of human encroachment on their habitat.
“It’s not just the loss of habitat per se, it’s the disease and stress associated with loss of habitat, its the building of barriers which inhibit koala movement, and it’s the things like vehicles and dogs that kill or maim koalas as they do try to move through urban areas.
“We all need to do more if we want to keep koalas in this area and other koala habitat areas.”
Mr McNamara praised the efforts of Redland’s dedicated koala supporters who have been fighting for years to save the national icon from local extinction.
The findings from the most recent koala surveys in 2005-06 showed an overall population decline in the Redlands of 27 percent since the 1996-99 surveys.
“I’m concerned about the population reduction, and will be monitoring the effect of the Queensland Government Koala Conservation Plan on maintaining population numbers, Mr McNamara said.
“The Koala Plan, which was put in place 12 months ago in response to the listing of the species as vulnerable, came into effect since the above surveys were completed.
“The Koala Plan introduced a suite of management approaches to balance rapid urbanisation with the needs of the koala, and should be given an opportunity to deliver its objectives.
“Redland Shire Council needs to be ever vigilant about its responsibility to address the threats identified in the Plan, such as through domestic dog control in urban areas.
“The Koala Conservation Plan focuses on education of dog owners about the damage their pets can do.
“The plan also highlights the need to ensure urban development does not impact on koala populations, through both clever design and being prepared to say no
“I’m not advocating a total development ban, but I am advocating a koala-friendly development approach.
“If people want to continue to have koalas in their neighbourhood then they must do simple things like tie up their dogs at night and think about the type of fencing they have and possibly change it.
“Redland Shire Council should reconsider its plans to exceed the total number of new dwellings estimated to be required in the SEQ Regional Plan and the location and configuration of the developments that are approved.
“Notwithstanding the growth being experienced in South-east Queensland, we must accept that there are limits to growth and real costs in terms of biodiversity and sustainability in continuing to expand our impact on the land.”
Mr McNamara said the Council and community are at a crossroads, and a choice has to be made to be proactive about preserving the region’s koalas.
“Please exercise it with an eye focussed equally on sustainable development and providing a safe future for the region’s koala population,” he said.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, told a koala summit at Alexandra Hills today the complete destruction of the Redlands’ koala population could even occur sooner if the rate of development increases.
“The current rate of koala habitat destruction and fragmentation in the Redlands as a result of urbanisation must be slowed,” Mr McNamara said.
“If the Council and the community are serious about keeping koalas in the Shire, and if you really see them as a valuable part of the environment, then you can’t just rely on others.
“The biggest threat to the koala is the impact of human encroachment on their habitat.
“It’s not just the loss of habitat per se, it’s the disease and stress associated with loss of habitat, its the building of barriers which inhibit koala movement, and it’s the things like vehicles and dogs that kill or maim koalas as they do try to move through urban areas.
“We all need to do more if we want to keep koalas in this area and other koala habitat areas.”
Mr McNamara praised the efforts of Redland’s dedicated koala supporters who have been fighting for years to save the national icon from local extinction.
The findings from the most recent koala surveys in 2005-06 showed an overall population decline in the Redlands of 27 percent since the 1996-99 surveys.
“I’m concerned about the population reduction, and will be monitoring the effect of the Queensland Government Koala Conservation Plan on maintaining population numbers, Mr McNamara said.
“The Koala Plan, which was put in place 12 months ago in response to the listing of the species as vulnerable, came into effect since the above surveys were completed.
“The Koala Plan introduced a suite of management approaches to balance rapid urbanisation with the needs of the koala, and should be given an opportunity to deliver its objectives.
“Redland Shire Council needs to be ever vigilant about its responsibility to address the threats identified in the Plan, such as through domestic dog control in urban areas.
“The Koala Conservation Plan focuses on education of dog owners about the damage their pets can do.
“The plan also highlights the need to ensure urban development does not impact on koala populations, through both clever design and being prepared to say no
“I’m not advocating a total development ban, but I am advocating a koala-friendly development approach.
“If people want to continue to have koalas in their neighbourhood then they must do simple things like tie up their dogs at night and think about the type of fencing they have and possibly change it.
“Redland Shire Council should reconsider its plans to exceed the total number of new dwellings estimated to be required in the SEQ Regional Plan and the location and configuration of the developments that are approved.
“Notwithstanding the growth being experienced in South-east Queensland, we must accept that there are limits to growth and real costs in terms of biodiversity and sustainability in continuing to expand our impact on the land.”
Mr McNamara said the Council and community are at a crossroads, and a choice has to be made to be proactive about preserving the region’s koalas.
“Please exercise it with an eye focussed equally on sustainable development and providing a safe future for the region’s koala population,” he said.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004