The Albanese Government is investing almost $800,000 to better protect koalas in conservation parks in the Moreton Bay and Wide Bay–Burnett regions.

A considerable portion of these funds will be awarded to the City of Moreton Bay and R&M Wiseman Investments to proceed with two projects located in the rapidly growing Moreton Bay area to utilise new conservation tech to better protect and restore over 350 hectares of koala habitat.

Three other projects managed by the Koala Action Gympie Region Inc, Noosa and District Landcare Group Inc and Ecollaboration Ltd will see 11,500 koala trees planted in conservation parks further north near Gympie, Noosa and Eumundi.

These five projects will carry out activities like planting native plants to improve habitat connectivity, removing weeds that are a fire risk and prevent koalas from moving freely into highly urbanised areas by supporting the regeneration of native plants through the use of drones to monitor koala populations.

Sadly, koalas are currently listed as endangered in Queensland, NSW and the ACT. This investment is part of the Albanese Government’s $76 million Saving Koalas Fund to better protect the species and repair their habitats around the country. 

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek:

“No-one wants to imagine an Australia without the koalas. The Albanese Labor Government is making sure our kids and grandkids will still be able to see koalas in the wild.  

“Communities across Australia play a crucial role in protecting and conserving this beloved animal. This funding is about supporting local groups to do what they do best – getting communities involved in protecting this iconic species.    

“Through our Saving Koalas Fund, we are investing in projects that will help Koalas not only survive – but thrive.” 

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development & Education, Senator Anthony Chisholm:

“Queensland’s population boom can’t come at the expense of our unique and globally admired wildlife. These projects will engage local community groups to help restore koala habitats across rapidly growing areas of the South East.”

“Taking care of our wildlife, such as the iconic koala, is an important part of protecting the environment for future generations. Restoring over 350 hectares of koala habitat in the House Mountain Range and the Cedar Creek region will help us achieve that.

“With this investment, we’ll improve conditions for our koalas, support local community groups and get the balance right when it comes to providing the infrastructure our State needs and protecting our precious environment.”

Quotes attributed to City of Moreton Bay Mayor, Councillor Peter Flannery:

“This funding is welcome news for City of Moreton Bay, and we thank the Federal Government for their support to help protect the habitat of this iconic species,” Mayor Flannery said.

“The grant funded a thermal imagery drone survey across Brian Burke and McDowalls Road Reserves, with 20 adult koalas identified in the project area.

“Council has already planted more than 3,600 koala habitat trees to establish the koala corridor within these reserves and the new data collected will assist in targeting koala habitat enhancement works and help us prioritise habitat enhancement efforts more strategically.

“Council has set an ambitious target to preserve wildlife habitat and limit our urban footprint as the ‘lungs’ of South East Queensland with funding towards Council’s House Mountain Range Koala Corridor Habitat and Connectivity Enhancement Project bolstering our conservation efforts.

“While protecting habitat is a step in the right direction, providing local care for injured wildlife is however still desperately needed. Currently a gap in the South East Queensland (SEQ) wildlife hospital network means our local wildlife rescuers travel up to two hours for urgent animal care.

“Council is looking forward to working with the State and Federal Governments to support the vital Moreton Bay Wildlife Hospital project to provide the care injured koalas desperately need.”

ENDS