‘Koalas are part of who we are’: new plan to save Queensland’s tree-dwelling herbivores
The state’s koalas – threatened by habitat loss and officially listed as endangered – are winning a boost in support with the Queensland government funding a new strategy. Have your say.
Public consultation is open for a new conservation strategy to secure the future of South East Queensland’s koalas.
Queenslanders are invited to have their say on the next SEQ Koala Strategy focusing on protecting and restoring habitat, tackling disease, improving monitoring and mapping, and working with local communities.
As part of the commitment, the plan would establish a new Koala Ministerial Advisory Council chaired by Environment Minister Andrew Powell who was expected to drive practical action on koala conservation by advising on the Koala Strategy and its rollout.
The state government said the plan was to bring together industry, science, local government, property and conservation, with the group to hold its first meeting in early 2026. Koala numbers have been impacted by disease – including chlamydia – drought, fire and loss of habitat.
The government has also committed $950,000 to the Coomera/Pimpama Koala Population Stewardship Partnership for Endeavour Veterinary Ecology to continue life-saving work, including chlamydia treatment and monitoring rehabilitated and released koalas.
Powell said “koalas are part of who we are as Queenslanders” and the new Koala Conservation Strategy would support their preservation and ongoing protection.
“Koalas are part of who we are as Queenslanders, and we’re determined to protect them for generations to come,” Powell said.
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Endeavour Veterinary Ecology CEO Michael Hornby OAM said that he believes the Koala Haven project represented an important conservation milestone for the future of koalas in South East Queensland.
“It provides exceptional opportunities for ongoing disease management, koala health monitoring, and habitat protection – insights that will be valuable not only in Queensland, but nationally,” he said.
“Koala Haven is fundamentally about protecting and maintaining the long-term health of this population. It is a critical ecological connector, linking multiple koala habitats, with strong potential for future expansion to create a broader, interconnected network of healthy and sustainable koala populations.”
Public consultation is open until March 15 next year, visit the state government’s environment department site to contribute.
