$8.6million to restore and protect key koala habitat in Queensland’s Brigalow Belt

An $8.6 million partnership between the Queensland Government and the Queensland Trust for Nature (QTFN) aims to restore and protect key koala habitat in the vast northern Brigalow Belt, west of Rockhampton and Mackay.

The multi-million dollar investment would see previously-cleared land revegetated to create a self-sustaining forest with koala food and shelter trees, while important land management like fire, weed and feral pest treatment would be carried out on existing koala habitat.

Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon noted “protecting and restoring habitat is crucial in order for Queensland’s native species to thrive – it’s why we’re investing $1.4 billion in the environment to expand and maintain our protected areas, for wildlife care and ongoing research.”

QTFN is an independent, not-for-profit organisation focused on protection of Queensland’s biodiversity and natural landscapes. It was created in 2004 through a Deed of Trust and seed funding grant of $5 million from the Queensland Government.

QTFN works across Queensland to develop innovative conservation projects and partnerships for environmental sustainability, and has protected more than 111,470 hectares of threatened species habitat.

QTFN Chief Executive Dr Liz O’Brien said the organisation was proud to work with the Queensland Government to protect and restore the northern Brigalow Belt’s koala habitat.

“Habitat conservation is key to the survival of this iconic Australian marsupial, and we want to support restoration efforts to increase habitat quality and connectivity.

“We are particularly pleased to be working in Brigalow country as it is an important region not only for koalas but also other threatened species such as the Poplar box and squatter pigeon.

“We look forward to working in partnership with land holders to help support delivery of outcomes from this project,” Dr O’Brien said.

Minister Scanlon said more broadly great strides had been made to achieve positive conservation outcomes for koalas in Queensland and noted that the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2020-2025 annual report, released yesterday (31st May), found implementation actions are well underway, with 32 of the 46 actions recommended by the independent Koala Expert Panel already underway and three actions having been completed.

The South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2020-2025 annual report is available on the DES website at www.des.qld.gov.au