7 August 2022
Published 03 December 2019
Moreton Bay Regional Council has confirmed its commitment to koala conservation, today approving a new policy to support the long-term viability of our koala populations.
At the heart of the amended policy are a range of programs to not only care for the wellbeing of this precious species, but also enhance koala habitat to better connect vegetation right across our region.
Mayor Allan Sutherland said the policy had to be amended to reflect modern technology, infrastructure capacity and community expectations.
“We know our human population is booming and we know we have to provide more housing, similarly we have to think about how we provide more habitat for koalas,” he said.
“This is especially important to ensure major new developments are designed to support our native flora and fauna
“This policy articulates our vision for creating more koala habitat, developing better connected green corridors, delivering infrastructure that enables wildlife to move safely away from cars and dogs and it emphasises the importance of community education and awareness programs.
“Every human has a right to a home and so do koalas, that’s what this policy is about.
“This is about putting measures in place to maintain Moreton Bay’s amazing environment and working in partnership with the community, industry and other levels of government so that we are deliberate and considered in the way we cater for population growth without diminishing our wildlife population.”
Environment Spokesperson Cr Denise Sims said, “this might sound ambitious, but we’ve already proven we can do it.”
“Council’s commitment to good koala management at The Mill site has seen the population increase by 25% each year since 2017 while the university was being constructed,” she said.
“In June 2017, there were 45 koalas living on the site and thanks to Council’s commitment to koala health, removing wild dogs and building green infrastructure, there are now 82 koalas with 22 dependant joeys living there.
“Council is committed to working with local wildlife groups, research partners and all levels of government to build community awareness of koala conservation and to implement initiatives that support this iconic species.”
Division 11 Councillor Darren Grimwade said revegetation programs are just as important in the rural areas of the Moreton Bay Region.
“Today I can announce a new project that will be delivered in 2020 as part of Council’s Green Infrastructure program in Dayboro at Federick Nethersole Reserve,” he said.
“Council will be establishing up to five hectares of new koala habitat with more than 5,000 trees to be planted that will provide habitat for a range of native species including koalas.”
Frederick Nethersole Reserve is within the D’Aguilar Range to North Pine Reservoir Habitat Corridor and this planting will improve links to areas of high ecological significance, valuable koala bushland, wetland habitat and also threatened vegetation.