As a result of our continued inquiries into concerns surrounding koala habitat mapping in Noosa, we have received the following advice below from Minister Enoch’s office regarding the Draft South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2019 – 2024.

 

“The draft Strategy was released for public consultation on 8 December 2019 for a period of eight weeks, closing on 31 January 2020. The consultation period covered the Christmas holidays, and as such, was extended to eight weeks. During the consultation period, the Queensland Government received over 280 survey responses, along with thousands of written submissions. During this time, the Government also hosted community and industry information sessions at various locations across South East Queensland (SEQ), and spoke to hundreds of people about koala conservation.

 

Throughout December 2019 and January 2020, the Government held several targeted consultation sessions with all 12 SEQ local governments, and key representatives from stakeholder groups including conservation groups and industry bodies. Queenslanders supported moves to improve koala conservation, and the Government is now reviewing the details of the feedback. Once analysed, the feedback will be used to inform the final Strategy, which is expected to be released this year.

 

Strong new planning regulations to protect koala habitat commenced on 7 February 2020. This new planning framework will deliver a more strategic and consistent approach to koala conservation across local government boundaries, supporting delivery of a key initiative outlined in the draft Strategy and providing certainty to landholders and industry. These are the strongest koala protections Queensland has ever seen.

 

The new regulatory framework applies consistently across SEQ and establishes where clearing may be prohibited, where it is assessable by the State, where koala conservation outcomes will be considered by local governments and what exemptions may apply. Inside a Koala Priority Area, clearing of koala habitat areas will be prohibited. In the Noosa Shire Council area, more than 39 500 hectares has been mapped as Koala Priority Area representing a significant increase in area protected and an increase in the level of protection afforded to Koala habitat. Development that doesn’t involve clearing will be assessed by local governments for koala conservation outcomes, such as safe koala movement. Outside of a Koala Priority Area, developments involving the clearing of koala habitat areas are assessed by the State Government.

 

Koala Habitat Restoration Areas have also been identified based on the suitability of regional ecosystems, and consideration of threats such as proximity to major roads, heat stress, urban development, and opportunities such as proximity to conservation areas. Koala Habitat Restoration Areas have been identified as areas that, if revegetated, could support koala populations, taking into account threats and constraints, as well as opportunities for koala conservation.

 

The new regulatory framework is supported by new state-of-the-art mapping that was developed using advanced modelling techniques and comprehensive vegetation mapping. The new methodology, supported by the Koala Expert Panel, integrates a species distribution model with the Queensland Herbarium’s regional ecosystem mapping and validated koala occurrence records, to produce a comprehensive map that ranks koala habitat values across SEQ.

 

The mapped koala habitat represents the best habitat for koalas, based on the combination of biophysical measures (including climate), suitable vegetation and koala occurrence records. Linking the new koala habitat mapping with the Queensland Government’s existing vegetation and landcover mapping, and utilising a species model with koala sighting data, allows the new koala habitat

modelling to be updated and refined as data becomes available. Vegetation and koala habitat maps will be updated annually, allowing the Queensland Government to continue to accurately identify the best quality koala habitat and track changes over time.”

We will continue to advocate on behalf of our community to achieve a fair result for our koalas and our residents.

For more information head to: https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/97547/draft-seq-koala-conservation-strategy-2019-2024.pdf