Queensland's koala protection needs improving

The Queensland Government has released the findings of a review of its koala habitat protection regulations which highlight there is room for improvement.

While the review found the regulations are largely working well and having a positive impact, changes will need to be made to address elements of the framework that were identified as not operating as intended.

The regulations were introduced in 2020 to better protect South East Queensland’s koala population and their habitat.

The review, undertaken by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, included consultation with the conservation and urban development sectors as well as the wider Queensland community.

The consultation confirmed the regulations had been effective, however some elements have not worked as intended.

These include a lack of habitat clearing data, and misinterpretation of some of the regulations as they were originally intended, leading to some unintended clearing of koala habitat, and unnecessary delays and costs in preparing development applications.

In response to the feedback received, the State Government will make improvements to the koala habitat regulations. These changes will be supported by guidance material and the development of a new web-based notification system for interfering with koala habitat, which will allow the collection of more accurate habitat clearing data.

The regulatory changes will be delivered through amendments to Planning Regulation 2017 and Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2017.

The changes will also help reduce wait times for landholders requiring development approval and provide greater certainty to developers and property owners.

QLD Environment Minister, Leanne Linard noted that for south east Queensland “the growing demand for land supply presents a considerable challenge for the preservation of koala habitat into the future.

“That is why it is essential that our koala conservation regulations achieve the right balance between conservation and development.

“The review recommends fine tuning existing policy settings to better deliver on the intent of the regulations and the government will implement these enhancements this year.”

More information on the review is available here.