Updated
Australia’s iconic marsupial mascot the koala will soon be listed as a “vulnerable species” across all of Queensland in a move that will bring renewed focus to their plight.
The State Government has accepted a recommendation by the Species Technical Committee, an independent panel of scientists, to lift the conservation status of the koala.
It will mean greater scrutiny for potential impacts on koala populations from development and resource projects.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland’s animal emblem is too precious not to act.
“This means that now the State Government will work very closely with the councils, with local government agencies to make sure that we are mapping, and doing everything we can to protect the koala,” she said.
Currently, koalas are only listed as vulnerable in south-east Queensland.
“This decision will apply the ‘vulnerable’ status across the state,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The koala is an iconic species that faces many threats including climate change, habitat reduction, disease, motor vehicle strike and attacks by dogs.
“The reclassification will mean that more consideration will need to be given to koala habitats across Queensland, particularly in regard to potential impacts from development and resource activities.”
Ms Palaszczuk made the announcement today at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Environment Minister Steven Miles said the listing was mixed news.
“It’s bad news because it means the koala population is not as strong outside of south-east Queensland as we thought it was,” he said.
“But it’s good news because it means the Government and local councils will do more to protect our valuable koala habitat.”
Australian Koala Foundation chief executive Deborah Tabart said she is not impressed by the listing and added that it did not necessarily mean good news for the koala.
“A federal listing did occur in 2012 and I suspect the Queensland Government is saying ‘how in the heck can we get that very strong federal listing off here?'” she said.
“I believe if the Premier said to the Environment Minister in Canberra, ‘hey my legislation will cover this’ then I believe the Federal Government will back off and that is the last thing koala’s need.
“The koalas have declined 80 per cent so no one can convince me that a Queensland vulnerable listing will protect koalas. This is political games and the developers are up to their necks in it.”
Topics:
animals-and-nature,
animals,
government-and-politics,
qld
First posted