The Queensland government has added a further 190,000 hectares of koala habitat to habitat mapping.
Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch said the mapping followed recommendations from the Koala Expert Panel to better protect koalas.
“The science tells us that the biggest threat to Queensland’s koala population is the loss of habitat and that is why we are taking action,” Ms Enoch said.
“This new mapping incorporates the best available data and uses improved modelling techniques to help us identify and protect important koala habitat.
“The release of this mapping builds on the vital work the Palaszczuk government has done to protect essential habitat through the passage of our strong land clearing laws.
“It is a further demonstration of the government’s commitment to deliver on each of the Expert Panel’s recommendations, including appointing a new Koala Advisory Council which I announced earlier this month to oversee a new Koala Conservation Strategy.”
The extra koala habitat has been added under the Vegetation Management mapping.
Ms Enoch said the mapping update was an important first step in implementing panel recommendations.
“Our government is also working to identify priority areas for koala protection based on the updated koala habitat mapping.
“The next stage of mapping will be used, in part, to protect koala habitat through the planning framework.”
Ms Enoch said the government was reviewing the planning framework that related to koala habitat protection.
The newly appointed Koala Council will be briefed on the next steps of the Koala Conservation Strategy when it meets on 13 December 2018.
The mapping is available through vegetation mapping or Queensland Globe resource.
For more information about koala conservation in Queensland visit //environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/koalas/
