The state government wants people to let it know what they think about koala management.
Environment Minister Steven Miles launched an online survey on Sir Richard Branson’s Makepeace Island in the Noosa River.
“The survey will be used, in part, by our newly appointed koala expert panel in the development of recommendations for future strategies to ensure the long-term survival of koalas in the wild in the state’s south-east,” Dr Miles said.
“We want input from the public and will be also consulting with key organisations including regional councils, land use and planning representatives, and koala conservation representatives.
“Some of the questions we will be asking include: what are the threats that are having the greatest impact to koalas in your local area?
“Can you recommend measures that could address these threats? Do you record koala sightings in your area?
“This government is committed to ensuring viable and healthy koala populations in south-east Queensland and across the state.
“There’s now an additional $12.1 million to boost koala conservation measures and improve population surveys over the next four years and a further $2.6 million per annum for ongoing funding for koala protection.
“This funding will provide continued support for koala care and rehabilitation services, expanded population surveys and funding for the Moggill Koala Hospital and Daisy Hill Koala Centre.
“Although protection measures have been in place for the past 20 years, there is still a decline in koala population densities, which is concerning.
“However without these existing measures, there is the potential that the decline may have been significantly greater. There is now an opportunity to review all koala programs and initiatives to determine if changes are needed to current strategies,” Dr Miles said.
Redland City mayor Karen Williams has said koalas had been in decline in the Redlands for decades which showed that a new approach was needed to save them.
"We need a koala protection strategy based on science and embraced by the broader community,'' she said.
Dr Miles said the drastic decline in koala numbers had led to the Richard Branson Koala Conservancy being set up to raise awareness of the plight of koalas.
“As is the case with the state government, the conservancy believes that action must be based on scientific research,” Dr Miles said.
The survey is on www.getinvolved.qld.gov.auand will be open until October 21.
“I encourage people to have their say on koalas by completing the online survey. Your views will help help shape future management plans,” Dr Miles said.
