The Albanese Labor Government is investing $200,000 to restore and improve habitat for koalas in the Eurobodalla region.
6000 trees will be planted at six locations across private properties, State Forests and National Parks connecting habitat to create safer passages for koalas to breed and forage, and removing weeds that are a fire risk and prevent koalas from moving freely.
The project will be delivered by The Coastwatchers Association Incorporated. It will also build community and First Nations capacity to care for their local koalas.
The Coastwatchers Association Incorporated has been working on monitoring and supporting the local koala population for years.
In addition to planting trees and removing weeds, this project will also support the use of drones equipped with thermal imaging capacity. Drones will be used to locate Koalas in trees so that their numbers and movements can be better monitored.
At one location in Cockwhy a drone will be operated from a private property that borders Murramarang National Park. The drone will be used to survey up to 100 hectares of the National Park, as part of 1500 hectares of drone surveys..
There have been sightings of Koalas in Murramarang National Park, but they are becoming increasingly rare.
Sadly, koalas are currently listed as endangered in Queensland, NSW and the ACT. This is investment is part of the Government’s more than $76 million Saving Koalas Fund to better protect koalas and repair koala habitat.
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 Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP:
“Taking care of our wildlife, such as the iconic koala, is an important part of protecting the environment for future generations. This project will work with local community groups to restore koala habitats.
“We want to see our local koalas not only survive but thrive, planting 6000 trees here in the Eurobodalla region will help us achieve that.
“With this investment, we’ll improve conditions for our koalas, supporting local people and local organisations.”
Quotes attributable to Coastwatchers Delegate, Keith Joliffe:
“Since the fires there have only been a handful of reliable Koala sightings in this area, it’s going to be really exciting to collect more information on their possible locations and movements.”
“We’re talking about trying to support, and possibly revive, a low-density Koala population– this is a very exciting local project.”
“I’d like to thank Fiona [Phillips] for her support, this funding is a huge step for us, we’re a small volunteer group who have been working for a decade to monitor and support the local Koala population.”
