Thanks Simon Baltais (CEO) of Queensland Wildlife Preservation Society for this:
A report released in May 2009 by the Queensland Government (Department of Environment & Resource Management) titled ‘Decline of the Koala Coast Koala Population: Population Status in 2008’ tells us that effectively koalas will be extinct in the Koala Coast region of South East Queensland by 2010 (next year!). Please write to ask for direct action.
Why is this happening? Because the Queensland Government is effectively planning the extinction of the koala. Although population growth leads to the destruction of koala habitat, the Queensland Government continues to push more growth through its chief land-use planning document, the South East Queensland Regional Plan.
Currently under review, the Draft SEQ Regional Plan 2009-31 designates significant areas of urban and rural koala habitat for immediate and future development, at a time when koalas are perched on the brink of extinction. Koalas urgently need more habitat, not less!
This can’t be allowed to happen! Send a message today. Let the Hon Ms Anna Bligh, Premier of Queensland know that the new SEQ Regional Plan (due for release in July) must be changed to protect all remaining koala habitat in South East Queensland.
Ask the Premier of Queensland to become a Koala Campaigner. Ask her to personally guarantee that the SEQ Regional Plan 2009-31 will be redrafted to ensure our precious koalas and all their remaining habitat are protected now and forever.
One Comment to “Write to Premier Anna Bligh about the report on decline of koala population”
Julie
Looking at the EAR’s report I agree that many aspects of the impacts of the Kenmore Bypass have been minimized just to get the road in. Obvious ones are noise, loss of community greenspce, increase in pollution, huge impacts on ecosystem.
I believe the government knows this but appears to be ignoring a lot of it own advice. Redlands Shire Council Mayor has started his own petition to save the koalas over there because the situation is dire for their koalas.
Kenmore will be the thin edge of the wedge for koalas if the Kenmore Bypass is built. As far as I know the koala habitat mapping that closed back in March this year has not released its results. I am waiting on a reply from them as to the progress of this mapping.
I have seen Australian Koala Foundation map dated 2003 thar shows Prime koala habitat to be running beside the Brisbane river in Kenmore beside the centenary Freeway. My own observation and photographs have observed koala activity is still present in this area and extending into, through and all around the preserved corridor in the same area. As the crow flies this is adjoining the area that Ric Nattrass reported on in his report in 2008. Which has in effect been minimized by the EAR’s.
Keeping in mind urban koalas become quiet secretive to survive. Advice also given by Ric Nattrass On a short visits as described by the EAR’s team they would not be likely to see koalas if present. Given the amount of rain we have had the koala droppings etc would not be easy to find either.
Much more work must be done as to ascertain the koala population in Kenmore and the western suburbs before any reasonable decisions could be made about the KB.
Please everyone we now have until next Monday to comment on the EAR’s please add these ideas to your comments. Please write to the government about the KB and the effect on the decline of the loala population.