The Department of the Environment and Energy is to work with local Koala experts to identify priorities for the restoration of fire-devastated Koala habitat areas in northern NSW and southern Queensland.
Announcing the initiative, the Department’s Minister, Sussan Ley said the continuing fire crisis in NSW and Queensland was taking a terrible toll on human life and property.
“The fires are also having a devastating effect on wildlife, destroying thousands of hectares of koala habitat across Northern NSW and South East Queensland in particular,” Ms Ley said.
She said the Environment Restoration Fund had set aside $3 million for the protection and restoration of habitats in these regions, with a meeting of koala experts identifying the best responses to the impacts of the fires and the future needs of koala populations.
“We are working with our Regional Land Partnership Service Providers in the regions – North Coast Local Land Services, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services and Healthy Land and Water – to get funding on the ground and projects started as soon as possible,” Ms Ley said.
“The Department is also talking with Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, which has been heavily involved in koala rescue and treatment on the mid-north NSW coast.”
She said while the human tragedy of these fires remained the primary response, she had asked the Department to work with State Governments and Regional Natural Resource Managers to monitor the broader wildlife impacts, particularly in relation to threatened species programs.
