STATE GOVT AND REDLAND COUNCIL PROTECT KOALA CORRIDOR

The Bligh Government and Redland City Council have partnered to save more than nine hectares of habitat in the Koala Coast and plug a gap in a vital koala corridor.

Acting Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk and Redland Mayor Melva Hobson today helped plant trees to rehabilitate a 3.5-hectare site on Smith Street, Capalaba.

Ms Palaszczuk said the former turf farm site would form a vital link in the Coolnwynpin Creek corridor and follows a 5.6-hectare property the State Government had earlier gifted to council for koala conservation.

“The State Government has struck a unique partnership with Redland City Council to return the Smith Street site to koala habitat and make sure wildlife still have the corridors they need to safely move about residential areas,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Over 2800 trees have been planted at the Capalaba site after the first tree was planted in early May 2010.

Cr Hobson said the Redland City Council offered the land for the joint koala habitat revegetation project and was committed to maintaining and protecting it into perpetuity.

Member for Capalaba Michael Choi said the State Government would hold up its end of the bargain by supplying and planting eucalypt trees.

He said this was in addition to 5.6ha of significant koala habitat adjacent to Windemere Road in Alexandra Hills already being conserved for koala habitat.

“The Alexandra Hills site, now known as Windemere Road Bushland Refuge, was previously owned by the Department of Education and Training, and transferred in September last year to environmental reserve for management by Redland City Council,” Mr Choi said.

“Both sites are within the Koala Coast, one of two regions where koala populations are under the greatest threat in south-east Queensland.

“This partnership is a win for koalas in Redlands and demonstrates the need for a co-operative approach to koala conservation.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government and Redland City Council were working to expand protected koala habitat in the region.

“I’m delighted Redland City Council has come on board, ably led by Mayor Melva Hobson, to help save koalas in the region,” she said.

Cr Hobson said she welcomed the opportunity to work with the Queensland Government towards koala conservation.

“Redland City Council has formulated a Koala Strategy and Koala Action Plan, which is a multi-pronged approach to improving prospects for koalas,” she said.

“This includes acquisition and maintenance of key koala habitat, a community education campaign and habitat protection extension programs, such as the Koala Conservation Agreement Program, enabling Council to work collaboratively with local landowners.

“But it will take the combined and concerted efforts of Council, the State government and the community to reverse the declining population.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the State Government’s Koala Response Strategy was designed to protect and expand koala habitat and make the urban environment safer for koalas.

Measures include:

• $45.5 million over five years to acquire, rehabilitate and protect koala habitat in south east Queensland.

• two new State Planning Instruments to regulate planning and development activities, including a ban on clearing of bushland habitat in the Koala Coast and Pine Rivers;
• a model local law for councils to help reduce dog attacks on koalas;
• $10 million retrofitting of hot-spots on State-controlled main roads with wildlife crossings and underpasses; and
• raising community awareness about how everyone can help protect koalas.

1 July, 2010
Minister’s Office: David Shaw 3239 0849