LACA recently submitted this media release to local papers: Jimboomba Times, Logan West Leader, Beaudesert Times.
The recent rehabilitation and return of Babe the koala to Jimboomba after a dog attack is great news. Despite this happy ending, koalas in South-east Queensland are under serious threat and urgently need our help.
According to the EPA and Australian Koala Foundation, koala populations are in decline in many parts of South-east Queensland. The greatest threats to koalas after habitat loss are cars and dogs.
GHD consultants are currently collecting koala sightings for South-east Queensland as part of a state government Koala Habitat Mapping Project. Koala information can be forwarded to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5 pm Friday 13th February.
A previous report by GHD consultants for Moreton Regional Council in 2008 showed a 46% decline in the last 6 years in Pine Rivers' urban koala population density. An EPA report in 2007 also showed koala numbers in the Koala Coast Area (including parts of Brisbane City Council, Redlands and Logan) had declined by 27 % from 6246 in 1997 to 4610 in 2005. Koala populations in Logan had declined by 26% and Brisbane by 21%. The largest declines occurred in areas associated with the Urban Footprint.
"The Koala Coast Area has traditionally been recognized in South-east Queensland as having a higher density of koalas and being a koala stronghold. But with koala numbers now confirmed to be in decline in these areas, this makes koalas in other parts of South-east Queensland such as Logan and Scenic Rim crucial to sustaining this iconic species for the future," said Anne Page, spokesperson for the Logan and Albert Conservation Association.
The EPA report also concluded that it was critical to maintain koala populations in urban and bushland areas to sustain viable and healthy populations.
"It is critical that koala habitat is identified and protected now for the best environmental outcomes. Koalas are the faunal emblem of Queensland and an iconic Australian animal famous worldwide - it is up to all of us to help protect this species for future generations."
Despite these predicted declines in koalas in South-east Queensland, massive development is still proposed for Logan Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council with population increases of 30 000 for Park Ridge MPA, 25 000 for Greenbank, 60 000 for Flagstone and 60 000 for Yarrabilba as part of the SEQRP. The koala populations of Logan Council and the Scenic Rim Regional Council are still unknown. To date no official koala surveys have been conducted to identify and map Koala Conservation Areas.
"Under the Koala Conservation Plan, the areas with the highest level of protection are Koala Conservation Areas, but these areas must be surveyed and mapped. Without koala mapping, no serious protection is given to koalas," said Anne Page. Previous community reported sightings collected by LACA confirm that koalas occur in Logan Village, Chambers Flat, Park Ridge, Park Ridge South, Munruben Woods, Munruben Forest, Greenbank, New Beith, Flagstone, North Maclean, Tamborine, Mundoolun, Jimboomba, Stockleigh, Yarrabilba, Buccan, Veresdale Scrub, Cedar Vale, Canungra, Palen Creek, Mt Barney, Rathdowney, Cedar Creek, Wolffdene, Rathdowney, Beaudesert, and Bromelton.
You can help protect the koala
• Do encourage local and state government to fast track koala mapping for local area
• Do drive slowly through wildlife signed areas or habitat areas
• Do secure dogs at night
• Do report koala sightings in your local area to EPA Wildnet.
The community may also comment on the Draft Koala State Planning Regulatory Provisions until 27 February.
Enquiries can be made on 1800 070 609. More detail can be obtained on www.laca.org.au
Contact Details: Anne Page (Secretary) ph 3297 0624 or Kathy Faldt (Vice President) ph 3200 0129