It is difficult to understand government decisions at times - and especially since the Queensland government website clearly states that the greatest threat to koalas is loss of habitat. The only way protection is 'guaranteed' is when legistation exists or is created - as governments do - to control actions and activities.

The Koala Plan provides a certain level of protection for areas of habitat that have been surveyed and documented and included in the plan. Queensland government allocated $2.1 million over 4 years to match local councils' spending on surveys - until recently. The website was updated 7 November 2008 but disappointingly does not included the report from the KOALA TASKFORCE.

More disappointment for our members too when we heard that state government has withdrawn its matching $ for $ subsidy for koala surveys in Logan City. This part of Southeast Queensland has been targeted for fast - tracked housing subdivisions for Queensland's growing population - but areas have been flagged without any studies for koalas or other wildlife. Local residents have been sending sightings of koalas (and other wildlife - including spotted tailed quolls) to EPA Wildnet for some time. We know there are koalas here - but they or their habitat is not proected until the habitat is mapped.

The report of other koala habitat surveys is available from this link. Also available is data including major causes of death from 1997 to end April - from Koala hospital presentations. Download from this page.