Sunny outcome for our national icon across Sunshine Coast region
The Federal government is investing almost $200,000 to improve koala habitat, and gain better understanding of the koala population in the Sunshine Coast region.
The funding will be used for activities including planting over 4,000 koala friendly trees, connecting habitat to create safer passages for koalas to breed and forage.
The funding will also focus on removing weeds that are a fire risk and prevent koalas from moving freely.
The funds will also be used to assist facilitate workshops to increase community engagement and koala sightings.
The project delivered by Sunshine Coast Council will also use acoustic recording and drones to search for koalas, as well as using detector dogs and scat analysis to identify disease and the diet of local koalas.
It will also build community and First Nations capacity to care for their local koalas.
Sadly, koalas are currently listed as endangered in Queensland, NSW and the ACT.
This investment is part of the Government’s more than $76 million Saving Koalas Fund to better protect koalas and repair koala habitat.
Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek, said,
“No-one wants to imagine an Australia without the koalas. We are 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.”
Sunshine Coast Council Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor, Maria Suarez, said “With a united approach, we could help this threatened species survive in our wildlife-friendly biosphere.”
“While we do know a little about the koalas in some small pockets of the Sunshine Coast, this project will give us a region-wide view and understanding of the local population.
“Council is proud to partner with our community and be part of the Australia-wide effort to protect these iconic Australian animals and deliver on the Sunshine Coast Koala Conservation Plan.”