While Sandy appreciates the responses, outlined in our September 2024 Noosa 360 update, to our Noosa MP Wildlife Strike study from Transport and Main Roads (TMR), we need further action including the development of a centralised database of wildlife strike data for recording locations for animals removed by collection agencies on state roads.

After the 2024 State Election, we provided our Noosa electorate study to the new Minister for TMR and the Minister for Environment and requested an update on the establishment of a centralised database, as well on the review of the Southeast Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy. The following in italics has now been received, which outlines that options for a centralised online database will be presented to the minister on completion of the review and public consultation on a new draft strategy is due by the end of 2025.

The current Strategy incorporates actions that address threat management, including vehicle strikes.

These actions include identifying priority areas for threat reduction, partnering with local governments to deliver threat abatement opportunities, and updating the Fauna Sensitive Road Design Manual.

The current Strategy will conclude in August 2025 and the Minister’s Charter letter includes a commitment to ‘work toward a new South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy to succeed the 2020-2025 Strategy, to halt the decline of this precious species’.

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) is reviewing the current Strategy to inform a new approach to protecting Queensland’s koalas.

The review includes targeted engagement with delivery partners and key stakeholders including TMR and Noosa Shire Council, to evaluate existing actions and inform the development of a new strategy.

While the new strategy is being developed, many key initiatives will continue including habitat restoration, threat reduction and community education programs such as ‘Drive With Care’ and ‘Look out for Koalas’ messaging on selected static TMR variable message boards across Southeast Queensland and in various locations on the Bruce Highway in the North Coast Region during breeding season.

Options for a centralised online database of koala conservation measures will be presented to the Minister on completion of the review of the current Strategy.

There will be further opportunities for stakeholder engagement with DETSI working towards public consultation on a new draft strategy by the end of 2025.

We will monitor the progress of the new Southeast Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy and regarding the establishment of a centralised database.  Sandy will update once public consultation opens.

There is also a need for a Noosa Shire database for incidents on local government  managed roads and we have continued to follow up Noosa Council regarding this, with no response received to date. Should any residents wish to contact Noosa Council direct, email mail@noosa.qld.gov.au, with information for the Mayor and Councillors available at www.noosa.qld.gov.au/About-Council/Councillors-and-meetings/Mayor-and-councillors.

Further information

The full wildlife study our office funded is available at www.bit.ly/NoosaWildlife

For those who would like to directly advocate regarding the state government aspects of this, contact the following:

Please copy our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.

For our previous Noosa 360 updates regarding wildlife strikes, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=wildlife.