Saving our Species Iconic Koala Project

A framework for koala conservation in NSW

John Turbill

Saving our Species A strategic framework for threatened species management

Delivering effective conservation projects through: • Efficient project management • Working in partnerships • Increasing participation • Aligning work to prevent duplication and

maximise resources

SoS Iconic Koala Project

Threat Action Scale

Critical threat affecting the species

Broad conservation action

Site, Area or State

Action Toolbox Priority Koala Populations

Coordination

Detailed Actions

Site Threat Action Objective

A X 1 By 2019, …

B Y 2 By 2017, …

C Z 3 By 2018, …

Erik Veland

Whole-of-Government NSW Koala Strategy

• December 2016 announcement

• Key recommendations from the Chief Scientist and Engineer

• Three-month public engagement

• Koala Advisory Committee

• Strategy currently in development

SoS and the NSW Koala Strategy

• Saving our Species is key to the delivery of the NSW koala strategy

• Some aspects of koala conservation are outside the scope of SoS

• For example: • Improving outcomes for koalas through the planning system

• Incentivising best practice for development

• Acquiring land into the reserve system

• Road design

Public Consultation – Koala Strategy and SoS

• December 2016 – March 2017 • What should be included in the NSW Koala Strategy

• The SoS Iconic Koala Project

• Key stakeholder meetings and workshops, seven regional community information sessions, an online information session and a web portal

• > 4,000 submissions, 34 on SoS project

• Majority supported development of a koala strategy

Action Toolbox

Critical Threats (SoS) Supported Actions (SoS)

Loss, modification and fragmentation of habitat

Habitat restoration works

Vehicle strike Proven mitigation techniques at identified blackspots

Predation by roaming or domestic dogs Community engagement programs in areas of dog attacks

Intense prescribed burns or wildfires that scorch or burn the tree canopy

Minimise impacts of prescribed burns on koalas and their habitat. Koala habitat identified as assets in fire plans

Koala disease Support research into the role of disease in koala populations

Heat stress through drought and heatwaves

Support response to koalas during extreme weather conditions. Install artificial water sources, establish refuge habitat, promote connectivity

Inadequate support for fauna rehabilitation

Support koala rehabilitation groups to rehabilitate sick and injured koalas

Lack of knowledge • Causes of koala trauma and mortality • Population monitoring • Koala movements

Project Highlights

2016-17

Region Project Funding

Blue Mountains Koala survey and mapping $63,000

Coffs Harbour Habitat creation in Bongil Bongil NP $75,000

Gunnedah Install artificial water sources and restore priority refuge habitat

$95,000

Port Macquarie Hello Koalas Festival sponsorship $10,000

Port Macquarie and Kempsey

Develop koala fire management plan $44,000

Port Stephens, Mid-Coast & Campbelltown

Spatial analysis to identify threat hotspots $111,000

Southern Coastal Forests Fire management and monitoring in Southern Coastal Forests

$40,500

State-wide Spatial analysis on koala populations and habitat across NSW

$59,000

State-wide Support for licensed koala rehabilitation providers $54,500

Tweed Community engagement to mitigate dog attack $28,000

Wollondilly Map koala habitat and corridors $90,000

Total SoS investment in koalas 2016-17: $1 million

Habitat Creation in Bongil Bongil NP Project Case Study 1

Oct 2016 May 2017

Martin Smith

Tracking in the Southern Highlands Project Case Study 2

Rohan Kelly

Rohan Kelly

Caroline Marschner

Supporting Koala Rehabilitators Project Case Study 3

May 2017 Feb 2017

Natalie Izquierdo

Melissa Baker

Habitat Preferences in the Blue Mountains Project Case Study 4

• Satellite tracking

• Community sightings

• Mapping

• Comparison of survey methods

• Hotspot identification

Dylan Jones

State-Wide Spatial Analysis Project Case Study 5

Reported Collisions

1 - 4

5 - 13

14 - 39

40 - 79

80 - 184

Next Steps

SoS Iconic Koala Project • Strategic 4-year plan 2017-2021 • Expert Panel • Detailed projects for 2017-18 Whole-of-Government NSW Koala Strategy • A summary of engagement report will be published on the OEH website

soon • A draft strategy is currently in development