Dave Copeman, head of the Queensland Conservation Council, spoke out against rampant residential development. He cautioned that these fast-growing districts are chewing up critical koala habitat in south-east Queensland. As the region grapples with rapid population growth, large Priority Development Areas (PDAs) in Logan, Ipswich, and Moreton threaten the survival of these iconic marsupials. Today, the Queensland government is finalizing a new state koala conservation strategy. Conservationists are enjoining that soon, very soon, could be too late to save these magnificent creatures.
The threat to koalas now faces a toxic combination of booming housing demand in south-east Queensland. Recent figures paint a stunning picture. In the state, 46 per cent of buildings and structures lie within one kilometre of an existing koala sighting. This closeness brings serious cause for concern from increased urban sprawl, such as habitat fragmentation and a greater risk for human-wildlife conflict.
The Role of Technology in Conservation
In Queensland, completely new methods are being used to track koala populations, with drone-mounted thermal imaging cameras at the forefront. These new technologies are so precise that they can pick up a koala’s heat signature from the air. This enables conservationists to get crucial baseline information on their populations and movement patterns.
Jason Young, who leads a team utilizing this technology, stated, “The sheer area drones can cover … the clarity, the GPS location of everything you spot — being able to use that data post-flight is far more accurate.” His team’s efforts explain quite a lot about how koalas are able to find their way in an ever more urbanized world.
The Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary is deeply committed to local and global conservation efforts. In collaboration with local councils, they carry out koala population counts to monitor the health and numbers of local koala populations. Conservationists contend that although these studies are necessary, they are only a first step.
“We don’t have a current census, and so this counting is really important, because we need to know if the precipitous decline in koala numbers has stabilised or not.” – Dave Copeman
The Impact of Urbanization on Koalas
Yet as south-east Queensland urbanises this increasingly has terrible consequences for koalas. At the same time, Copeman underscored some of the dangers of residential sprawl. He noted that new roads through koala habitats lead to more car strikes, while housing developments increase risks from domestic pets.
“If you’re putting roads through koala habitat, you see more car strikes. If you’re building houses in there, you get more dog attacks,” – Dave Copeman
In particular habitat loss increases stress levels in koalas, he stressed. This reality erodes their resilience and makes them more susceptible to disease.
We call on local authorities to do the same and act boldly. To address these challenges, Copeman is making the case for a new strategy on development. He advocates for cities to pursue a “gentle density” strategy in communities where people already live.
“The science is clear. We need to be building up, not out,” – Dave Copeman
The Future of Koalas in South-East Queensland
Mayor Jon Raven expressed the same thoughts, pointing to the ecological importance of south-east Queensland as an internationally recognised biodiversity hotspot. He spoke out about the dangers of turning these nature habitats into white-picket-fence suburbia.
“We’re a biodiversity hotspot, but we won’t be if we cover the whole of it in suburbia,” – Mayor Jon Raven
Raven touched upon the need to know more about how koalas navigate urban environments. He stressed the need to protect our existing habitats and restore degraded habitats, pointing out that these are necessary actions local councils should be taking first.
“So that means it’s really important we get out there and find these koalas and understand how they’re moving through our city,” – Mayor Jon Raven
