16
Licensed by the Office of Environment and Heritage to rescue, rehabilitate and release koalas—Licence No. MWL000100225. ABN. 69322819171 Fundraising authority CFN 17840 P.O. Box 5034, East Lismore NSW 2480 . Phone 02 6622 1233 . www.friendsofthekoala.org. The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of ‘Friends of the Koala’ Inc. The Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc. June 2013 Patron: Margot Sweeny (CEO, Summerland Credit Union) Treetops The Koala Conference A number of FOK members attended the first National Koala Conference to be held for over a decade. It was or- ganised by the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and held at Port Macquarie from 17-19 May. That koalas were the focus of a national conference alone speaks volumes about how seriously they, and their future, are now regarded by many in the community. The range and quality of speakers was impressive, as were the topics of their presentations. As one of the 180 at- tendees I learnt a great deal and also enjoyed the opportunity to network with others who are involved with koalas. Many of the speakers focused on what is fairly extensive research into koala dis- eases, particularly chlamydia, which has now been identified as having at least 12 strains. Of course, if the disease is also experienced by humans then the likeli- hood of receiving research funding in- creases! However, despite the best efforts of so many striving to save koalas, several speakers demonstrated the parlous situa- tion confronting them. Colleen Wood from the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter in Victoria told us of the devastating impact on koalas of the 2009 bushfires as well as the translocation of various koalas to her area that were handled very poorly with particularly sad out- comes. And whereas prior to Black Sat- urday a target of about 250,000 hectares was subject to hazard-reduction burning in that state, the target has now been increased to 450,000, which doesn’t auger well, not only for koalas but for all wildlife. Another sad presentation was by Sue Brookhouse from the Office of the Envi- ronment and Heritage at Coonaba- rabran, who showed us graphically the impact of the wildfire in the Warrum- bungles last January on wildlife. Whilst many animals couldn’t escape the fire itself, the fire was so intense it literally sucked the oxygen from the air resulting in the death of thousands of other ani- mals and birds, which simply couldn’t breathe. These presentations are examples only of the many that illustrated clearly the current and potential impact of loss of habitat such as that in South East Queensland and coastal NSW, human settlement, and climate change on koa- las. Where the safety, properties or pri- orities of humans are concerned, sadly koalas can lose out. On the other hand, a presentation by Professor Steve Garlick of the Universi- ty of Newcastle and the University of Technology Sydney, exemplified the difference carers can make to wild ani- mals, and also raised some interesting results of research over many years on the actions of him and his wife, who is a doctor, in caring for macropods. Be- cause they have the land and other re- sources, they care for seriously injured animals over long periods of time. One example was a kangaroo that had 13 broken bones and some injury to the head which, after 18 months of daily care, was released (along with a pod of 30 others they had cared for) onto an identified property, fully recovered and ‘just a little spastic’! Together, he and his wife have helped in the recovery and release back to the wild of close to one thousand injured macropods and wom- bats over the last 12 years. From their long-term care of macropods he and his wife argue that mammals share the same emotions of humans, and that we can learn more about environ- mental sustainability by gaining under- standings about wild animal knowledge. This would enable wildlife carers to contribute to aspects of science and the environment through their ability to gain knowledge from wild animals by ob- serving their emotional ‘markers’. This presentation raised questions that have implications for carers at all levels about the way we relate to mammals when they’re in our care. Finally, there was brief discussion about the thorny issue of What’s Inside —continued on page 2 » President’s Message .......................................... 2 » Care Coordinator’s Report ............................. 3,4 » Koala Care Statistics ......................................... 4 » Care Centre Coordinator’s Report ..................... 5 » Great Koala Count: Update ............................... 6 » Plantation Matters ............................................. 6 » World Environment Day 2013 ......................... .7 » Towards the NSW Planning Bill .................... 8,9 » 2013 -2014 Subscriptions ................................. 9 » Fire and Koalas ............................................... 10 » Lantern Parade 2013 ....................................... 10 » Nimbin’s New Murals..................................... 10 » NWC Wildlife Carer Grants 2013 ................... 10 » Advocacy and Policy Reform Report.............. 11 » Leafers’ Training Morning ............................. 11 » Who Cares about the Environment in 2012? .......................................................... 12 » Bulletin Board................................................. 13 » Member Profile - Susannah Keogh ................. 14 » Dates for your Diary ....................................... 14 » Native Bear Stops Lismore ............................. 14 » Wilsons River Schools Restoration Project ..... 14 » Application/Renewal Form ............................. 15 » Contact Details ................................................ 15

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Page 1: The Koala Conference · 2016. 9. 28. · Friends of the Koala 1989 - 2013 - 24years of licensed koala rehabilitation Page 3 Treetops … the Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc

Licensed by the Office of Environment and Heritage to rescue, rehabilitate and release koalas—Licence No. MWL000100225. ABN. 69322819171

Fundraising authority CFN 17840 P.O. Box 5034, East Lismore NSW 2480 . Phone 02 6622 1233 . www.friendsofthekoala.org. The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of ‘Friends of the Koala’ Inc.

The Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc.

June 2013

Patron: Margot Sweeny (CEO, Summerland Credit Union)

Treetops The Koala Conference

A number of FOK members attended the first National Koala Conference

to be held for over a decade. It was or-ganised by the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and held at Port Macquarie from 17-19 May. That koalas were the focus of a national conference alone speaks volumes about how seriously they, and their future, are now regarded by many in the community. The range and quality of speakers was impressive, as were the topics of their presentations. As one of the 180 at-tendees I learnt a great deal and also enjoyed the opportunity to network with others who are involved with koalas. Many of the speakers focused on what is fairly extensive research into koala dis-eases, particularly chlamydia, which has now been identified as having at least 12 strains. Of course, if the disease is also experienced by humans then the likeli-hood of receiving research funding in-creases! However, despite the best efforts of so many striving to save koalas, several speakers demonstrated the parlous situa-tion confronting them. Colleen Wood

from the Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter in Victoria told us of the devastating impact on koalas of the 2009 bushfires as well as the translocation of various koalas to her area that were handled very poorly with particularly sad out-comes. And whereas prior to Black Sat-urday a target of about 250,000 hectares was subject to hazard-reduction burning in that state, the target has now been increased to 450,000, which doesn’t auger well, not only for koalas but for all wildlife.

Another sad presentation was by Sue Brookhouse from the Office of the Envi-ronment and Heritage at Coonaba-rabran, who showed us graphically the impact of the wildfire in the Warrum-bungles last January on wildlife. Whilst many animals couldn’t escape the fire itself, the fire was so intense it literally sucked the oxygen from the air resulting in the death of thousands of other ani-mals and birds, which simply couldn’t breathe. These presentations are examples only of the many that illustrated clearly the

current and potential impact of loss of habitat such as that in South East Queensland and coastal NSW, human settlement, and climate change on koa-las. Where the safety, properties or pri-orities of humans are concerned, sadly koalas can lose out. On the other hand, a presentation by Professor Steve Garlick of the Universi-ty of Newcastle and the University of Technology Sydney, exemplified the difference carers can make to wild ani-mals, and also raised some interesting results of research over many years on the actions of him and his wife, who is a doctor, in caring for macropods. Be-cause they have the land and other re-sources, they care for seriously injured animals over long periods of time. One example was a kangaroo that had 13 broken bones and some injury to the head which, after 18 months of daily care, was released (along with a pod of 30 others they had cared for) onto an identified property, fully recovered and ‘just a little spastic’! Together, he and his wife have helped in the recovery and release back to the wild of close to one thousand injured macropods and wom-bats over the last 12 years. From their long-term care of macropods he and his wife argue that mammals share the same emotions of humans, and that we can learn more about environ-mental sustainability by gaining under-standings about wild animal knowledge. This would enable wildlife carers to contribute to aspects of science and the environment through their ability to gain knowledge from wild animals by ob-serving their emotional ‘markers’. This presentation raised questions that have implications for carers at all levels about the way we relate to mammals when they’re in our care. Finally, there was brief discussion about the thorny issue of

What’s Inside

—continued on page 2

» President’s Message .......................................... 2 » Care Coordinator’s Report ............................. 3,4 » Koala Care Statistics ......................................... 4 » Care Centre Coordinator’s Report ..................... 5 » Great Koala Count: Update ............................... 6 » Plantation Matters ............................................. 6 » World Environment Day 2013 ......................... .7 » Towards the NSW Planning Bill .................... 8,9 » 2013 -2014 Subscriptions ................................. 9 » Fire and Koalas ............................................... 10 » Lantern Parade 2013 ....................................... 10 » Nimbin’s New Murals ..................................... 10 » NWC Wildlife Carer Grants 2013 ................... 10 » Advocacy and Policy Reform Report .............. 11 » Leafers’ Training Morning ............................. 11 » Who Cares about the Environment in 2012? .......................................................... 12 » Bulletin Board ................................................. 13 » Member Profile - Susannah Keogh ................. 14 » Dates for your Diary ....................................... 14 » Native Bear Stops Lismore ............................. 14 » Wilsons River Schools Restoration Project ..... 14 » Application/Renewal Form ............................. 15 » Contact Details ................................................ 15

Page 2: The Koala Conference · 2016. 9. 28. · Friends of the Koala 1989 - 2013 - 24years of licensed koala rehabilitation Page 3 Treetops … the Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc

Page 2 Friends of the Koala 1989 - 2013 - 24 years of licensed koala rehabilitation

Treetops … the Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc. June 2013

President’s Message

W hat do we do? For whom do we do it? Where do we excel? Where

do we want to be in the future? How will we get there? These are the key questions that underpin the strategic planning process which an organisation undertakes to define its direction and to make decisions on resource allocation. These days you could spend your life reading strategic plans. No-body’s that masochistic but a couple are essential reading for groups like ours. The outstanding example is NSW 2021: a plan to make NSW number one, which sets out the Government’s direction through this decade. It’s the Plan from which the Northern Rivers Action Plan which pri-oritises the Government’s immediate actions in our Region, is derived. As we develop Friends of the Koala’s strategic plan, awareness of NSW 2021 and other high level plans should be kept in mind if we want to cultivate Government’s support for koala conser-vation and particularly community koala conservation here in the Northern Riv-ers. The initial consultation phase of our strategic planning process culminated in the workshop held on 20 April. A smat-tering of partners, stakeholders and members had provided their input prior to the day so there was a basis for re-view and refinement. Those who gave up a Saturday to participate in the work-shop itself spent their time well. Seven key strategies have been identified for further development: koala care and research, habitats and corridors, plan-ning, funding, communication and mar-keting, education and governance. The Management Committee will be

euthanasing female koalas infected with chlamydia.

Over half of these females also show evi-dence of reproductive disease which can lead to infertility. Licensed koala rehabil-itation standards in both NSW and Queensland usually require euthanasia of animals that are unable to reproduce. Questions were asked about whether, given the number of euthanasias these regulations are necessitating, it may be time to consider the animal’s social role apart from reproduction in her communi-ty. As you can see, it was a fascinating con-ference and I would encourage anyone to attend when the next conference occurs.

—Ros Irwin

meeting in early July to tease out the vision and shape of the plan, determin-ing key strategy statements and then developing priority actions and perfor-mance indicators for the 2013-14 opera-tional work plan. There’s a lot of work still to do and we sincerely thank every-one who has contributed so far. It’s not often that we don’t feature a koa-la story on Treetop’s front page. The National Koala Conference held in Port Macquarie last month was a stand-out event for any koala conservationist and deserves its front-billing. To be in the company of over 180 koala ad-vocates, campaigners, carers, researchers and veterinarians for the better part of 72 hours was both inspirational and energis-ing. The Conference theme, Their future is in our hands says to me that we, the human species, is the koala’s ravager as well as its saviour. Indeed, over the three days a confusing picture of inac-tion and effort by all levels of government emerged: on the one hand sanctioning destruction of huge tracts of habitat while funding re-search into koala disease, management plans, translocation programs and con-nectivity projects. Immediate and collaborative action to save the koala was called for as it has been for the past 30 or 40 years. Where is the persistent, united voice for the koala – the koala koalition? The re-searchers have picked up their game but a cohesive community action paradigm is still lacking. Conferences come in differing models. This one was of the information impart-ing and sharing type; highly appropriate given that a comprehensive conference on the koala had not been held for at least a decade. There are undoubtedly many answers to what makes a good

Lorraine Vass

Conference. For me, the quality and bal-ance of the papers and what I take away from them and the networking come first. But a good Conference is fun as well: catching up with old friends and making new ones; an attractive venue; seeing a bit of the town in which the Conference is held; opportunities for socialising; convivial and affordable accommodation-sharing. The Port Con-ference scored well on all counts. The proceedings were videoed so I ex-pect in time delegates can expect to re-ceive a copy.

The 28th of June is the deadline for pub-lic comment on the Government’s Plan-ning White Paper and exposure Bills. Despite promising to build a simpler, certain and transparent world class plan-ning system which will better balance the interests of the community, the envi-ronment and the economy, what we have to date is more rhetoric than substance. Land-use planning is the number one issue governing habitat retention in most parts of the Northern Rivers so please take the time to read Towards the NSW Planning Bill on pp. 8,9 and use any-thing that is helpful to form the basis of your submission.

—Lorraine Vass

—from page 1

Dr. Lyn Webber guides FOK members through the strategic planning workshop

Jo Green (l), Ros Irwin (c) and Sally Jacka (r) enjoying the conference dinner

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Friends of the Koala 1989 - 2013 - 24years of licensed koala rehabilitation Page 3

Treetops … the Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc. June 2013

Care Coordinator's Report

W ith the onset of winter and the cool nip in the air, activity on the

koala front is quiet. The hotline has barely rung; only the odd sighting com-ing in. Having said that, we have fourteen koalas in care: seven at the Koala Care Centre, five in home-care, one at Cur-rumbin Wildlife Hospital (CWH), and one at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital (AZWH).

Four at the Care Centre are boofy boys all with Chlamydia presenting as conjunctivitis and cystitis. Cystitis is much more difficult to treat and it’s very smelly. The odour seems to permeate a carer’s sense of smell, so much so that a shower provides welcome relief. Because the koala in most cases has a very wet bottom, a “bum wash” is usual in the early stages of treatment. This entails a bowl of warm water being put under the koala’s bottom. Surprisingly, most koalas accept this and will quietly sit in the bowl to “soak”. A small amount of medicated shampoo is then applied to the area and massaged in. After rinsing, lots of towels are used to dry off the rump area. By this time the carer is also quite wet and smelly – it’s at this point that the shower is so wel-come!!!! A fifth boy was sent on to Currumbin due to him losing weight. Although no abnormalities were found, the vet decid-ed to send him on to AZWH where he is presently continuing his treatment.

In late March joey Kal came in from Kalina at the Caroona Aged facility in Goonellabah. He was treated for bi-lateral conjunctivitis and soft-released into a much safer area where his chances of being hit by a car or dog attack were less likely. Because of his capture in the nursing home grounds (sadly we don’t hear of as many koalas at Caroona as we used to), Kal’s story was keenly fol-lowed by residents and staff. Just prior to his release we were kindly invited to

Highway in the Tyagarah area. He was released back in November 2011. Cassi-dy was found dead on the day of a com-munity field day to launch the Koala Vegetation Management Plan for Tyagarah Crown Lands on the east side of the Pacific Highway. Who knows how many times Cassidy had crossed that murderous motorway since his re-lease? Who knows whether the motor-way had anything to do with his death? Cassidy was found on the ground and his death has been recorded as “unknown”.

Archie, one of our “Storm Boys” died from severe infection in his lungs in late March. Another sad moment for us all was the euthanasia of a lovely hand-raised joey called Barney. Barney’s mother was killed by a car. He weighed only 780grams when he was brought in. He was in home-care for 10 months and released in June 2010. In early April Barney was attacked by a dog. He sus-tained severe spinal injuries but at first

we hoped that he had only suffered nerve damage. It wasn’t to be and after being brought out of a short induced coma at Currumbin there was no im-provement. Barney was still paralyzed and he was euthanased.

A tagged female named Bridget, who had been released with her backyoung Pandora at Wyrallah Primary School in February 2012, was seen in the grounds not looking too good. She was finally captured, presenting with cystitis. On this occasion it was found by our vet Ray that her uterus and bladder were so diseased it was not an option for her to be treated, so she too was euthanased. Her body was taken back to the school where the students, who knew her well, buried her beneath her favourite tree and laid some flowers on

give a talk to some of the residents. It was a lovely morning. Kalina’s Activity Officer, Kay, gave out bush hats to some of the residents and “Stuffy” was cud-dled by many as they told their koala stories. A very big thank-you to Kay for the warm reception.

In my last report I mentioned a koala joey named Ziva that I had in home-care. Ziva was being treated for pneumonia and other health issues. Hop-ing that her health would improve, we decided to pair her up with another female joey in home-care out of town where she’d get lots of

sun and yummy leaf. Sadly, over a few more weeks Ziva continued to decline. She took a severe downturn and passed away at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. In spite of our best efforts these sad events involving young, at-risk joeys continue.

A call from a National Parks Ranger work-ing in the Tweed area was a bit of a shock. He had heard a mother and joey screeching on Round Moun-tain so he went up to investigate. When he got there the mother was halfway down a tree and very agitated. Her 1.5kg back-young was still at the top being attacked by a 5ft Lace Monitor. Half the joey, head and arm, were in the goanna’s mouth. The joey was still screeching so the Ranger shook the tree until the goanna let go. The joey climbed out to the end of the branch and mother climbed back up. It was clear the joey had sustained injuries – a fair bit of skin one arm and around its head. The tree was cut down, the young joey rescued and rushed to Currumbin. It died shortly after. I was aware that goannas attack koalas, but this incident was my first direct report. Even the Ranger comment-ed that it was a lesson to him.

More reports of tagged koalas were re-ported to the Hotline in late March and early April. One was a boy called Cassi-dy who, back in May 2011 had been brought in from west of the Pacific

Pat Barnidge

Sue Keogh, Stuffy and Kalina resident

Round Mountain incident: ravaged joey (l) at end of branch: mother returns as goan-na retreats

—continued page 4

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Page 4 Friends of the Koala 1989 - 2013 - 24 years of licensed koala rehabilitation

Treetops … the Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc. June 2013

Friends of the Koala is being assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust's Lead Environmental Community Grants Pro-gram and the Australian Government through the Grants to Voluntary Environ-ment for Sustainability & Heritage Or-ganisations (GVESHO) Program.

FarmerCharlies

Lismore

FruitandVegetable JulyRaf�le

Fourteenvolunteersareneededtosellraf�letickets

Thursday,Friday,Saturday–July25,26,27.

Twopeopleneededforeachthree-hourshift.

RegistrationformsattheKoalaCareCentre

orcontactPatBarnidge–66223690

Yourassistancewillbeappreciated

—from page 3 the worst case of bi-lateral conjunctivitis I have seen. He was totally blind. He soon won the hearts of all the carers at the Centre. We watched in amazement as slowly but surely his course of injec-tions began to take effect on his horrible infection. Finally Jack’s eyes returned. Not only could we see them, they could see us. After an eye trim he was released with full sight. Jack took his time as-cending the tree chosen for him, looking around at his surroundings and then giv-ing us a long look as if to say thanks for giving him back his sight. These releases are what we all look forward to and make the sad times a little easier to bear.

her grave-site - a touching moment. Closer to home a tagged female in the wild koala colony at the Care Centre came in with severe cystitis. She was ultra sounded and huge ovarian cysts were detected. She also had to be eu-thanased. When she was captured 18 months earlier she was in good health and released with a small pouch-young. What is going on out there?

Now for the good news! A young male called Essential was released after being hit by a car and suffering a multiple fracture to his arm. He was rescued with the assistance of Essential Ener-gy’s elevated work platform; hence his name. Essential spent four months in care before being released in a safe area near his capture site. Penda, a lovely boy who was successfully treated for conjunctivitis, was released back into his home range in East Lismore. Alt-hough his sight was still limited, his body condition was excellent on capture so we felt he must have been coping okay. Another boy called Jack came in with

Dexter and Wally, the two surviving “Storm Boys” are both doing well. They’re nearly weaned off their paste and will spend another two weeks with Barbara Dobner in their big enclosure to ensure they are maintaining weight be-fore being transferred to their last stage of rehab in the big tree at the soft-release enclosure. Hopefully they will be joined by a joey named Piper who has just re-turned from AZWH.

To conclude, following on from the sto-ry in the March issue, Diego and Kurt have been released. They were seen for a

couple of days after investigating their beautiful surroundings. Hopefully they will live long, happy lives. Until next time, happy koala spotting.

—Pat Barnidge

Koala Care Statistics 11 March 2013 – 26 May 2013 Friends of the Koala attended to or provided advice on a total of 78 koalas*

In Care

Released Died Dead on Arrival

Euth. Trans. Unable to capture

Advice

Injured (2) 2 HBC– Road strike (3) 2 1 Dog attack (3) 3 Diseased/Sick (34) 6 3 2 10 13 Health status un- known /unrecorded (5)

2 3

Healthy/Assumed Healthy (21)

21

Orphans/joeys (7) 5 1 1 Permanent Care (3) 3 Totals (78) 14

6 5 2 13 1 37

Lili Bailly attends to Jack near to his release

*This reporting period is considerably shorter due to returning to quarterly issues of Treetops in 2013

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Friends of the Koala 1989 - 2013 - 24years of licensed koala rehabilitation Page 5

Treetops … the Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc. June 2013

Care Centre Co-ordinator’s Report Consulting Program being delivered on behalf of Northern Rivers Regional De-velopment Australia by the North Coast Institute of TAFE NSW. Our Digi-Advantage Consultant will be assisting

Friends of the Koala to devel-op our capacity to participate in the digital economy by redeveloping our website, extending our use of social media, and, wait for it…establishing an on-line shop! At long last we’ve purchased a set of veterinary-standard scales to weigh koalas on ad-mittance and throughout their rehabilitation. For years we’ve made-do with standing

on bathroom scales, holding the caged koala in front of us while someone else reads the weight we can’t see. Some cages weigh around 5 kgs and some koalas can weigh up to 10 kgs. Not good for our backs or accuracy. Now weigh-ing only involves one of us. The caged koala is placed on the platform, we stand back, check the digital reading, subtract the cage weight, and it’s done! National Volunteer Week, 13-19 May almost went unno-ticed so pre-occupied I was with making arrangements to at-tend the National Koala Conference. Although the Con-ference itself spanned three days, with travelling time we were away for most of five, necessi-tating quite a bit of shuffling at home as well as at the Care Centre. The Northern Rivers FOK/Koala Con-

nections contingent at the Con-ference was made up of our President, Lorraine Vass, Com-mittee Member Ros Irwin, Sue Johnson, Bill Sheaffe, Sally Jacka, Jo Green and me. Lor-raine, Jo and I travelled together which presented a great oppor-tunity to catch up and exchange our views on the range of issues which face koalas on the North-ern Rivers as well as the work each of us is doing. It’s rather sad that opportunities to chat at length are usually limited to long-distance drives. We might not have solved all the problems

in Koalaland but we certainly covered a lot of ground. The volunteers at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital led by Hospital Supervisor Cheyne Flanagan did a wonderful job organising the three-day event. Not only was there a long list of speakers, but we were fed morning tea, lunch and after-noon tea and there was a sit-down dinner on the Saturday night with fine entertain-ment which included the Hospital’s pa-tron, song-writer and singer, John Wil-liamson. The 25 speakers were very informative and we all came home knowing that we had learned a great deal. I was particu-larly interested in the progress of devel-oping the vaccine for chlamydia in koa-las and also catching up with Josie Shar-rad from the International Fund for Ani-mal Welfare (IFAW) who had visited us at the end of February. Josie is IFAW’s Native Wildlife Campaigner for the Oce-ania Office which is a new position and Josie was recruited from the UK to fill it. She brings with her a wealth of cam-paigning experience which we could well use here to save our koalas and oth-er native wildlife.

—Lola Whitney

T he end of the financial year is al-most upon us signalling the depar-

ture of those wonderful Canadian and American students who have been so helpful to us in the months from Febru-ary. Six SCU international stu-dents took on a weekly shift and they all worked very hard. We thank them for their ef-forts, wish them a safe trip home and trust that they re-member their time helping the koalas with affection. We continue to take on volun-teers who are participating in various programs run by En-viTE, Nortec, Jobfind, First Sun and Centrelink. Many of these participants have been a real asset to the Care Cen-tre. We hope their experience with us has helped them as well. Multitask Human Resource Foundation Ltd. has provided a work-team super-vised by Rex Williams on two occa-sions, taking away old logs and debris from the Reserve area which is now much safer to mow. A big thankyou to Multitask as well. The relative quiet at the Koala Care Centre has enabled us to get on with a few things that will hold us in good stead when winter is over. FOK’s QR Code is now prominently displayed and the promotional brochure has been widely distributed to Visitor Centres and tourism venues throughout the Northern Rivers. We are considering signage op-tions fronting on to Industry Drive. A steady stream of new lines is being added to our merchandise which we sell at the markets and from the Care Centre. Friends of the Koala has recently regis-tered with the Digi-advantage Business

Lola Whitney

Bob Sharpham, President of the Koala Preservation Society of NSW ( r) presents Koala Hospital patron, John Williamson, with a framed record of ‘Goodbye Blinky Bill’ which he wrote to raise funds to build the Hospital’s Emergency Ward

Phone Shift Vacancy Help is required with the

Friends of the Koala 24/7 Rescue Line

Weekend (Saturday) from Noon to 6pm or

Overnight from 6pm to 8am Training provided.

Must have a Landline

Enquiries to Phone Coordinator

Pat Barnidge: 6622 2690

New Koala Care Centre promotional brochures

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Page 6 Friends of the Koala 1989 - 2013 - 24 years of licensed koala rehabilitation

Treetops … the Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc. June 2013

What is it all about? As a part of the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative, the National Parks Association of NSW (NPA) will be running the NSW Great Koala Count 2013, building on the success of one held in South Australia during 2012. We will recruit members of the public to act as Citizen Scientists and collect data on where Koalas are found so we can determine their distribution in relation to the many threats they face. How will counting Koalas help? By finding out where Koalas are present and where they are absent, we will be able to determine how the Koala is using the landscape. Koalas will often have resting trees and feed-ing trees that they move between. We need to know what species these trees are and how far Koalas have to travel to locate them. This will enable us to determine the threats to population. When will this all happen? The Count will occur for a period of one week during November 2013. At this time of year Koalas move lower down in the trees so are easier to detect than at other times. As it is also breeding season, joeys are present so we will be able to record information on the number of young. How will the data be collected? A smart phone app will be available for all you Citizen

Scientists to download in order to record the GPS location of the Koala and for easy input of data. People who don’t have smart phones can enter their recordings onto the NPA Koala research portal.

How will the data be used? The data collected by you Citizen Scientists will inform the government on that state of Koalas across NSW. As the public have collected this data and have surveyed for threats that Koala’s are facing, it is hoped this will push the govern-ment to take action for the sake of this iconic species. How you can get involved? The first step is to log on the Citizen Science data portal (www.npansw.org.au/data). Once you have become a regis-tered user, you will receive an email when the Smart Phone App is available to download. If you don’t have a Smart Phone you can still participate in the surveys by entering data into the Citizen Science portal. Join a community of Citizen Scientists working together to make a difference for nature conservation. Once you have become a NPA Citizen Scientist you will receive emails about other wildlife surveys you can get involved in. Want to know more? For further details on the 2013 Koala Count or Citizen Sci-ence surveys please contact Dr Gráinne Cleary on 02 9299 0000 or e-mail [email protected]

injured koalas in care at the Friends of the Koala Care Centre in East Lismore. Plantations will come on-line as re-quired and the koala-loving Lismore community will be invited to participate in their initial planting. Lismore Council has assisted Friends of the Koala in providing leaf for sick koalas for nearly 20 years. The older sections of the original food tree planta-tion on Wyrallah Road were planted in 1994. Friends of the Koala now has plantations on two private properties in the Lismore local gov-ernment area, at Mc Kees Hill and Gundu-rimba and on the Lis-more Campus of South-ern Cross University and on Rous Water land at Howard’s Grass. Lead-in time from plant-ing to harvesting varies

Plantation Matters

FOK leafers with Rous Water’s Catchment Assets Manager, Anthony Acret (centre)

N egotiations with Lismore City Council to identify and manage

sites as future koala food tree planta-tions are moving along nicely.

Council-owned land at South Lismore, Albert Park and Goonellabah is being set aside for planting koala food trees which will be harvested to feed sick and

This little fellow can’t wait!

depending on soil, seasons and “pest” management. Attrition due to weather conditions (frost, excessive rain, etc.) even pesky wallabies can be high, re-tarding progress. The Rous Water plantation which was planted in mid-2010 recently underwent its first harvest.

Great Koala Count: Update

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W hat better way to celebrate World Environment Day than to offi-

cially open the fabulous Lismore Rain-forest Botanic Gardens and comple-menting Lismore Environmental Edu-cation Centre? The development of the Gardens over the past decade has been spectacular and a credit to both Lismore Council and to the Friends for whom the project is a labour of love. The Environmental Education Centre will serve as a base and visitors’ centre for the Garden Friends and as an education facility for Lismore City Council, focussing on waste and recycling, waste water, storm water, botanical gardens, koalas, habitat rehabilitation, weeds and floodplain management.

The Centre will be used for school and community group tours, a site for staff and community training and it will also be available for meetings by environ-mentally based community organisa-tions. A great crowd attended the opening and more than 150 pupils from seven schools participated in activities which ranged from water-wise behaviour and

koala care to sustainability in the home, Indian Myna control and a Lit-ter free lunch competition, in which the lunch litter from each school was collected and com-pared. At least two koalas watched the proceedings with interest. Many thanks to Nathan Hopkins for togging-up in the koala costume which delighted the children. Thanks too to Rick Stewart and Mark Wilson for their participation in the schools’ activities program. The Waste Management Facili-ty (site of the new Environment Education Centre) and the Rainforest Botanic Gardens are located just a couple of kilometres south of ur-ban Lismore, in an important koala cor-ridor between Wilson Nature Reserve on the urban fringe and Monaltrie Homestead to the south. Koalas are of-ten seen in the Facility and the Gardens. A Friends of the Koala food tree planta-tion is adjacent to the sewage treatment works along Wyrallah Road. Koala food trees were planted along the drive into the Gardens in the mid-1990s. These are being complemented by extensive plant-ings on capped

fill to the south. Already 600 food trees are in the ground and that number will soon be extended to 1,000. As other areas of the tip become available, more koala food trees will be planted. Council’s initiative in augmenting koala habitat so close to town is encouraging for on-going recruit-

ment to Lismore’s urban koalas which we believe is presently occurring from the south mainly along the Invercauld Road Ridge. At the Lismore campus of Southern Cross University World Environment Day was marked by the SCrUB Club planting more koala food trees at the Kellas Street entrance. Joining them were US university students from Keuka College in New York, SUNY Brockport

and SUNY Binghamton University. Thanks guys!

Other celebrations across the Northern Rivers included ongoing rehabilitation of Lennox Headland in Ballina Shire. Every year since 2003, a degraded sec-tion of the headland has been prepared for local residents and businesses to plant trees to mark World Environment Day. This year, the community planting took place on Friday 31 May.

In Tweed, a lively festival involving speakers, entertainment, community art, kid’s activities and a plethora of com-munity stalls, centred on Murwil-lumbah’s Knox Park. Organised by the Caldera Environment Centre and held on Sunday 2 June, the festival drew a big crowd. Mayor, Barry Longland offi-cially launched the Koala Connections Project and the Land for Wildlife Pro-gram in Tweed. Byron Council’s Environment Day was a bit later but no less for that - a series of free workshops held in conjunction with the Old, Gold & GREEN Festival at Banner Park in Brunswick Heads on Saturday 8 June. Jo Green, Byron’s Ko-ala Connections co-ordinator put on an impressive display promoting the pro-ject.

—Lorraine Vass

Some of the 600 koala food trees planted on capped fill at the Lismore Waste Facility

World Environment Day 2013

Lismore Environment Education Centre opening.

Rick Stewart (l) and Mark Wilson (c) at the activities program

SCU’s SCrUB club and helpers

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—continued on page 9

draft Planning Bill 2013 (NSW) is prem-ised refers briefly to only two of the five ESD principles. The integration principle and intergenerational equity get a men-tion but the precautionary principle, bio-diversity and ecological integrity and the polluter pays principle appear to have fallen off the Government’s agenda.

What’s in a name? Well, accompanying the change from ESD to sustainable de-velopment is the loss of an important decision-making framework which takes into account all the principles which un-derpin ESD. ESD principles are front and centre in the ACT’s reformed planning system (2007) and in Queensland’s (2009). Why is NSW’s reform so differ-ent? The last thing we need is a watered –down concept of integrated decision-making. ESD principles must remain and be applied to all planning and develop-ment decisions. Community Participation Upfront public participation is a corner-stone of the new system. It will be achieved through developing Communi-ty Participation Plans and guides under an inclusive Community Participation Charter. Part 2 of the draft Bill is entirely devoted to community participation but how will it work on the ground? Motivat-ing and up-skilling community members in new approaches to strategic planning and development assessment are only part of the dilemma. Where will the time and resources needed to listen be found? Finally, the Community Participation Charter is not binding so compliance by plan-makers may be unenforceable. The Community Charter concept sounds fine. But who exactly is the Community? How will people become equipped with the information and advice they need to plan their communities and environ-

ments? Ensuring that the Charter’s in-tentions are matched by the actions of the plan-makers is far from resolved. Strategic Planning Principles 10 strategic planning principles guide a cascading hierarchy of planning levels ranging from high level NSW Planning Policies, Regional Growth Plans, Sub-regional Delivery Plans to Local Plans. Some of these principles deal with gov-ernance, including community participa-tion, accessibility and evidence-based planning. Others have an economic fo-cus. None deal with improving or main-taining environmental outcomes, as-sessing cumulative impacts or preparing for climate change. While the purpose of the high level NSW Planning Policies is to set critical standards on key issues that must be followed by lower-level strategic plans, these plans will not be subject to parlia-mentary or judicial oversight. This could result in a top-down prioritising of State-determined economic targets with-out sufficient integration of social and environmental values. Local prefer-ences, as we’ve seen with the LEP standard instrument, will be lost in what is basically a Sydney-centric system. Just how the plethora of existing plans and policies will be integrated into the new system is still somewhat unclear. Of special interest to us is the integra-tion of SEPP 44 – Koala Habitat Protec-tion which is actually the example used on p.71 of the White Paper. We are as-sured that koala habitat protection will be incorporated into the new strategic planning framework at all four levels, informed by strategic planning princi-ples. The proposed Environment and Conser-vation NSW Planning Policy will en-courage, in part, the proper conserva-tion and management of areas of natural vegetation that provide habitat for koa-las to ensure a permanent free living population over their present range and reverse the current trend of koala popu-lation decline. This will be reflected spatially in the Regional Growth Plan s and Subregional Delivery Plans. The existence or potential existence of koala habitat would determine application of the policy in the Regional Growth Plan and a plan of management, presumably in keeping with the spirit of existing Comprehensive Koala Plans of Manage-ment, would be prepared for inclusion in the Subregional Delivery Plan. Local Plans will specify land use or de-velopment controls applying in identi-

T his piece follows on from Reform-ing the NSW Planning System

which appeared in Treetops, September 2012 (p.8). The deadline for submissions on the Planning White Paper now being exhibited is 28 June. The new laws could be passed in a matter of months. Time is short so it’s critical that every-one voices their opinion now. The Gov-ernment received over 900 community and local council submissions to the 2012 Green Paper. Their calls for a more balanced and sustainable system remain largely ignored. Some readers will remember the Stock-holm Declaration of 1972 but how many will recall all 26 of its guiding princi-ples? Not many I’d venture and certain-ly not our politicians. Yet the Declara-tion set the scene for NSW’s ground-breaking Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, just as the Rio Declaration of 1992 triggered inclusion in the Act of the guiding principles of ecologically sustainable development (ESD): the precautionary principle, bio-diversity and ecological integrity as a fundamental consideration, integration of economic, environmental and social considerations, intergenerational equity and improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms (polluter pays). We all know that continual political interference has undermined the Act and that genuine reform is overdue. For that reason the Government’s elec-toral promise to restore confidence and integrity in the planning system was welcomed. There was every reason to assume the reforms would result in a truly contemporary planning system. How wrong we were. First the Planning Green Paper and now the White Paper are demonstrating that the Government’s clamorous claim to restore accountability and public trust in the planning system rings hollow. To date the new system sweeps aside the natural environment and meaningful community participation for economic gain. Consider the following challenges iden-tified and addressed by EDO NSW (with thanks to Nari Sahukar’s helpful blogs, 20-24 May 2013, http://edonsw.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/five-big-challenges-for-the-planning-white-paper/ retrieved 31 May 2013). Loss of Ecologically from Sustainable Development The new narrow definition of sustaina-ble development on which the exposure

Towards the NSW Planning Bill

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fied areas which in the case of koala habitat will mean that land identified as core koala habitat will be included with-in a zoning named the Environmental Protection and Hazard Management Zone or, special provisions to control its development will be applied. I think we can be excused for not imme-diately grasping all that. We must put our faith in the promised transition provisions and hope that we have the strength to hang in there to make sure that potential and existing koala habitat receives the protection it deserves. One thing is for sure—community mem-bers feel compelled to engage in multi-level strategic planning will become even more “planned-out” than they are now. Code Assessment In the new system Local Plan standards or codes (developed in part through community consultation) will provide the criteria on which neighbourhood residential, commercial and industrial projects will be assessed, doing away with the need for site-by-site consulta-tion. Councils will have to approve any project that complies with a Code within 25 days. Already the mandatory target of 80% code assessed development (or smaller-scale exempt and complying) within five years has been set. Under-performing council standards will be replaced by departmental guides. Will the promise of faster approvals for developers be returned by commitment to quality building design and sustaina-bility requirements? No commitment has been made to updating or expanding the BASIX building sustainability tool, nor is there any provision for fast-tracking environmentally-friendly devel-opment. If code assessment proceeds clear limits and safe-guards will be necessary. For

example it should be excluded from are-as of high conservation value, environ-mental sensitivity and cultural heritage significance. It needs to deal with cumu-lative impact considerations and built-up – sensitive areas interfaces. Nor should it apply to State Significant Develop-ment. Appeals and Enforcement Less than 1% of local council decisions are appealed on merit and 99 out of 100 of these appeals are brought by develop-ers, not community members. Nevertheless the White Paper promotes expansion of developers’ rights of ap-peal while denying community appeal rights. For example a developer can con-test a council refusal of a ‘spot rezoning’ application or failure to approve a code-based development application within 25 days. The community has no appeal right if a code-based development ex-ceeding agreed criteria is approved. Community objectors will lose merit appeal rights against major projects where the Planning Assessment Com-mission holds a public hearing. While ‘open standing’ (that is the right of anyone to enforce a breach of the law in in court as long as they can afford it) is retained, the range of legal errors or breaches that can be challenged is cur-tailed. The draft Bill also appears to re-strict certain third party enforcement rights under State pollution laws. One wonders how community confi-dence will be restored if the new system entrenches the existing inequity between developer appeals and community rights to independent accountability through the courts? Conclusion EDO NSW is of the view that the fol-lowing five essential improvements would give much greater confidence that the Government is listening and is seri-ous about sustainable paths to environ-mental planning and economic develop-ment:

• Place ESD at the apex of the plan-ning system, and apply its principles under law.

• Boost the status of the Community Participation Charter to make sure it’s binding, and ensure its principles aim high.

• Integrate environmental outcomes and sustainability requirements up-front in the strategic planning princi-ples, including cumulative impact considerations and climate change readiness. Public participation and environmental outcomes must flow through the cascade of strategic plans.

• Set and communicate clearer limits, safeguards and design incentives around code-based development as-sessment.

• Restore accountability by putting the community on an equitable footing for appeal, review and civil enforce-ment rights (in areas like community participation, developments that sig-nificantly exceed set standards, and projects with the biggest likely im-pacts).

For most of us the introduction of an entirely new planning system is a once in a lifetime experience. Make sure you have your say because once the new laws are in place we’ll be stuck with them. Submissions can be mailed to: ‘New Planning System’ GPO Box 39 SYDNEY NSW 2001 or visit: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/newplanningsystem and use the online feedback tool or up-load your document.

—from page 8

2013 -2014 Subscriptions Now Due It’s time to renew your membership with Friends of the Koala. Even if you are not an active member of the group, your annual membership fees go a long way to sup-port the organisation. You can make a small (or large!) donation at the time of your membership renewal (see form on page 15). Simply add your chosen amount in the donation field on the form and we will send you a separate tax deductible receipt (for amounts over $2.00). All donations go towards koala rescue and care activities so please consider what you can do to help.

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land scheduled for burning and any trees that the koalas have been feeding off. The burn area is divided into managea-ble sections for Oscar to systematically search on the day of the burn. On in-struction he hurtles through the forest, making any koala within the area known to his handlers by standing on his hind legs with his front paws on the tree trunk. Apparently when he’s on the scent he changes direction sharply to show his trainer he’s in hot pursuit. What a dog!

Oscar’s work is underpinned by exten-sive field surveys of areas that have been prioritised for hazard reduction burns in the Snowy Monaro Bush Fire Management Plan. If Oscar finds a koala then burning is postponed until it or they leave. Fire management measures are dis-cussed in both the Draft Comprehensive Koala Plans of Management for the Tweed and Byron Coasts. It’s also an issue being addressed in the Tweed-Byron Koala Connections Project. In collaboration with the Northern Riv-ers Fire and Biodiversity Consortium’s Koala Populations Working Group a case-study of a discrete, multi-tenure, coastal area in the Tweed Shire will be

T he threat to koalas posed by high-intensity wildfires has long been

acknowledged. While there’s also evi-dence that koalas can survive such fires through a variety of circumstances, by and large wildfires of the magnitude seen in the Warrumbungle National Park in mid-January, simply wipe out entire koala populations. On the other hand, controlled fires, i.e. low-intensity hazard reduction burns have been regarded as a tool for protect-ing koala populations from wildfires. However some of these planned fires have been demonstrated to have serious consequences for koalas as well. Ecologists acknowledge that managing fire for koala survival is complex. Far more needs to be known. Proactive ap-proaches to fire management need to be explored. On-ground collaboration be-tween private and public property own-ers, fire-fighting authorities and koala carers need nurturing. But there are real issues in the way, not least of which is the over-riding legal obligation to pro-tect human life and property. For consideration to be given to mini-mising fire damage to koalas, fire plan-ners need to be aware of where koalas are to be found. Pre-burn surveys are a standard protocol but how are they car-ried out and with what degree of accura-cy? We all know that koalas are easily missed, even by experienced koala spot-ters. In the Snowy Mountain’s Monaro re-gion Oscar, a black Labrador-cross and the world’s first trained koala-sniffer dog has been used to locate koalas on

undertaken to produce a technical guide-line aimed at limiting the extent and impact of hazard reduction, wildfire and arson events on koala habitat. As in the Monaro understanding koala habitat usage patterns, determining koala presence prior to planned fire events and finding ways to ensure the development of appropriate protocols are big chal-lenges. Heightened awareness in the broader community is also a major goal. Meetings with local Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades responsible for areas containing koala habitat, to improve understanding of the need to manage fire to protect koalas have been well re-ceived in the Tweed. Last September NPWS and RFS burning crews reduced any risk of incinerated koalas by master-ing the challenging task of controlling flames and scorch heights during a haz-ard-reduction burn. Oscar’s training to become a koala-sniffer took a couple of years and he is involved in other koala projects as well. For example during last year he was brought in to search for koalas in the West Head area of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. He found fresh skats and trunk scratches confirming koala pres-ence. Whether or not we’ll see Oscar in action on the Tweed Coast, the long-term plan for the Northern Rivers Fire and Biodi-versity Consortium and Koala Connec-tions Project is to minimise fire damage to koalas and to reverse the devastating impact that successive fire events have had on koala survival, especially in the Tweed.

—Lorraine Vass

Fire and Koalas

Oscar on the job in his Hi-Vis NPWS jacket

Lantern Parade 2013

T hree murals were recently installed in Nimbin’s main street under the

Murals Restoration Project.

Our favourite is Amanda Williamson’s Endangered Species featuring daytime animals on the new left side and noctur-nal animals on the right. The Endan-gered Species mural is above the Nimbin News Agency.

Nimbin’s New Murals

L ike to be part of this year’s Lis-more Lantern Parade extrava-

ganza on Saturday 22 June? Please contact: Susannah Keogh on 0431 707 883

NWC Wildlife Carer Grants

2013 Applications for the 2013 round are

now open and will be received by the Secretary until

1 July 2013

Application form and Guidelines may be downloaded

from the NWC website: www.nwc.org.au

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T ake-up of comprehensive koala plans of management on the North-

ern Rivers continues with Richmond Valley Shire Council accepting funding assistance of $40,000 from the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to prepare a partial CKPoM for the shire. Discussions to prioritise the area of most interest are underway. A brief for ap-pointment of an advisory committee, consultant, etc. is being prepared. Invita-tions are expected to be issued later in the year. Meanwhile the approved CKPoM for South-East Lismore is now in circula-tion and can be downloaded from the Lismore City Council website at: http://www.lismore.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-MAU-64-27-67 In addition to the $30,000 budgeted for implementation in 2013/14, NSW Iconic Species funding of $90,000 has been granted by OEH for on-ground works. Regrettably Lismore’s Biodiver-sity Fund EoI was unsuccessful but an application has been lodged in the less than $2m category for a project similar to the successful Tweed/Byron Koala Connections project (connecting koala habitat, EECs and people in the Lismore LGA). More work is being done on the Tweed Coast draft CKPoM’s statutory elements following road-testing by Council’s Planning staff. Council has restored into Draft LEP 2012 a large proportion of koala habitat and other significant bush-land on the Tweed Coast. The NSW Scientific Committee has requested fur-ther information regarding Council’s nomination of the Tweed Coast koala population as Endangered, including the

health of the nominated population, which we have provided Byron’s draft Plan is back with the Con-sultant following review by the Project Reference Group (PRG). Council staff has met with DoPI to seek in principle support for the proposed management framework and definitions. The PRG has also reviewed Council’s community engagement strategy, fact sheets etc. Ballina’s habitat study is progressing well. The preliminary results of Bi-olink’s field work have been presented to the Project Reference Group: koalas generally widespread with a concentra-tion in the south of the LGA; genera-tional persistence evident across 6-8 koala generations and occupancy of available habitat is near optimal. It has been postulated that the koala popula-tion in the Lower Richmond (Meerschaum Vale, Bagotville, Wardell and Blackwall Range) locality may be the original source population for koalas in the Lismore and Byron LGAs. On completion of the habitat study, a shire-wide CKPoM will be prepared with funding assistance ($30,000) from OEH. Since March we have written to the CEO of OEH proposing koala surveys in the National Parks Estate, responded to amendments to Lismore City Coun-cil’s Off-leash Areas for Companion Animals Policy, and to the State govern-ment’s Draft amendment to the SEPP (Mining, Petroleum Production & Ex-tractive Industries) Coal Seam Gas Ex-clusion Zones 2013. We have objected to the Bluesfest application to extend its 10-year consent to permanence and pe-

Advocacy and Policy Reform Report rused several other development appli-cations which have not warranted re-sponse. We have commented on Boral Timber Fibre Exports Pty Ltd’s stakeholder con-sultation and negative forestry manage-ment practices in regard to the certifica-tion audit being carried out by Soil As-sociation Woodmark. We’ve also com-mented on the discussion paper How to protect and manage biodiversity in a working rural region? which is being reviewed by Lismore City Council’s Biodiversity Management Strategy Stakeholder Reference Group. A draft flyer promoting how FOK can be of assistance to developers, which is presently being reviewed by Lismore City Council’s planning staff. We have lobbied the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure to include the Better Planning Network in the in-dustry briefing on the Draft Sydney Metropolitan Strategy and nagged the Feds regarding progress on the EPBC Act guidelines for koalas and release of the Second Implementation Report on the National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy. We also participated in the review of the NSW Environmental Trust’s Lead Envi-ronmental Community Groups Grant Program. As I write, submissions on the Planning White Paper, a discussion paper on the Lismore Growth Management Strategy 2013-2033 and the Imagine Lismore Community Strategic Plan 2013-2023, are in preparation.

—Lorraine Vass

by Mark Wilson and Rick Stewart’s demonstration of the use of the equip-ment as well as maintenance advice. The morning finished with a short ‘hands on’ session to try out the long handled prun-ers and a delicious morning tea from Henry’s Bakery to keep up our energy. The sun came out just as we were cut-ting our first branches from a couple of nearby Swamp Mahoganies (“koala chocolate”). Sunday’s leafing had al-ready been arranged – with a new leafer.

—Dot Moller

Leaf Coordinator

Allen, Michelle and Laura listened and learned and cut leaf. The workshop included a safety talk by Dot Moller, identification of food trees

A fter a front page photo in the North-ern Star, posters placed around Uni,

and Lismore gather-ing places, we were hoping for a large turnout to the inau-gural Leafers’ Train-ing Morning. The first day of Win-ter Saturday started cloudy and cold. Five intrepid trainees ar-rived at the Care Centre. The small number of attendees was outweighed by their high level of interest and enthusi-asm. Jamie, Heidi,

Leafers’ Training Morning

Dot Moller, in hat, Paul O’Donnell (l) and Rick Stewart (second from right) with recruits.

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Who Cares about the Environment in 2012?

F or nearly 20 years the Office of En-vironment and Heritage and its fore-

runners have been surveying the envi-ronmental knowledge, views, attitudes and behaviour of people in NSW, track-ing how these have changed over time. Reports have been published for 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009 and now 2012. The 2012 research included a telephone survey with a representative cross-section of 2,006 NSW residents aged 15 years and over, followed by nine discus-sion groups in Sydney and regional loca-tions. The current report at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/community/whocares2012.htm contains the state-wide findings (survey and discussion groups), as well as analy-sis of the findings over time, across key demographic variables and across re-gions in NSW. You might ask, what do we care about Who Cares about the Environment? We’re impassioned about our koala conservation work on the Northern Rivers and will con-tinue doing what we can to improve the lot of individual animals and the long-term viability of the species. What relevance does it have? Such social research high-lights where people’s concerns and pri-orities are and gives us hooks we might consider in how we go about our conser-vation effort. Of course a state-wide sur-vey doesn’t necessarily reflect local pri-orities but it may provide pointers as to why we don’t always garner the support we think should be a ‘no-brainer’. A better understanding of context may en-courage us to do things differently. The key message in the 2012 report is that most of those surveyed think things, environmentally speaking, are getting better. I’d be surprised if that view was shared by many in Friends of the Koala. While a majority are still concerned about environmental issues, overall con-cerns are down to 71% of people from 78% in 2009 and 87% in 2006. Also, people are making a more positive as-sessment of various environment issues and other environmental indicators, com-pared to 2009 or 2006. Apparently there is no dominant envi-ronmental issue or ‘threat’ in the public mind. (CSG had yet to take hold). The main reasons people give for not being concerned are doubt about the reported

severity of issues, the perceived good condition of the environment and per-sonal priorities being more important. As in past surveys, the most common reason for being concerned is future generations, though it has declined slightly. Maintaining ecosystems and long-term economic sustainability have been increasing since 2006. People value the quality of the environ-ment where they live, although there are varied concerns about complex global environmental problems influenced by the confusing nature of debate over these issues. The value of environmental quality to people’s everyday lives is clearly demonstrated in high rates of visitation to outdoor locations, such as beaches,

parks, gardens, bushland and zoos, and in the positive feelings they express about being in such environments. Almost half the community (45%) believes that not enough emphasis is placed on the protection of natural habitats in competition with other land use needs and 42% feel the balance is ‘about right’. Almost half believe environmental regu-lation of two sectors, mining

(49%) and property development/ con-struction (46%), is too lax, despite an increasingly positive view of environ-mental regulation of other sectors over successive surveys. At home, people continue to practice many positive environmental behav-iours. However compared with 2009, fewer people say they often reduce water consumption (64% down from 70%); avoid plastic bags (46%, down from 54%); and re-use things (57% down from 61%). There has been a sharp rise in people citing cost as the reason they reduce energy consumption, and to a lesser ex-tent, water consumption. The research also shows people who are doing more are those who feel their ac-tions make a difference. Environmental knowledge and engagement with envi-ronmentally friendly behaviours increas-es with level of concern. In 2012, fewer folk nominated environ-mental issues as a current or future pri-ority for the NSW Government, com-pared to health, education and transport.

Environment/environmental issues were nominated by 6% as a current priority, down from 11% in 2009; and by 14% as a priority for attention in 10 years’ time, down from 23%. In line with previous surveys, environ-ment/environmental issues as well as planning and development, are seen as more of a priority in 10 years’ time, ranking seventh as a current priority and fifth as a future priority. The key con-tributor to these changes is a decline in prominence of water issues, along with a decrease in mentions of climate change. The top seven environmental issues for people in NSW in 2012 are: water, nominated by 18%; includes water supply, conservation and manage-ment/drought (down from 42%); mining, 17% (risen sharply from 3%); air pollution/quality, 17%; waste, 14%; forest/bushland/biodiversity, 12%; climate change, 12% (down from 23%); energy/fuel, 12%. It’s of interest to us that forest/bushland/biodiversity issues were rated third in importance in both 2003 (28%) and 2006 (16%). They slipped to being sixth in importance (12%) in 2009, where they have remained. The reason for this is attributed to a significant increase in those who believe there has been little or no change and a progressive decrease in those who believe the issue is improv-ing. In 2000 61% believed the issue had been getting better. As already mentioned, doubt about the severity of environmental problems is the most common reason for lack of concern. Beliefs that climate/weather issues are part of natural cycles, or that the Earth can adapt and recover from environmental damage; a perception that issues have been ‘over-hyped’; predic-tions of environmental disasters failing to materialise; conflicting information or science about environmental matters – all lead some people to disengage. We all find it difficult to make sense of the issues, even in our particular work. Many of us get worn out by learning, reflecting, doing and caring for years on end but still we hang-in. Presumably we’re amongst those ‘commiteds’ who feel our actions are making a difference. PS: The Who Cares about the Environ-ment? seminar which was to be held in Lismore earlier in the year was cancelled due to the low number of registrations received.

—Lorraine Vass

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New members A very warm welcome to the following new members who have been formally accepted into Friends of the Koala over recent months: Gillian Abbott of Ashby Heights, Dan-iel Shead of McKees Hill, Warren Lewis of Whian Whian, Christine Ed-lund of Ballina, Amanda Snow of Corndale, Caroline Sutherland of My-ocum, Luke Lovatt and Denya Cock-ram of Mullumbimby, Amanda Brom-field of Lennox Head, John Bryce of Goonellabah, Gabiella Giacomin and Luca Frattini of Bangalow, Elso Roache of East Lismore, Michaela Mo-rello, Meranda Termaat, Bobby Dean, Chris Strudwick, Nickolas Farr and Merrilyn Cusack of Lismore Heights, Michael Lombardi, Morgan Archer and Carolyn Willems of Lismore, Anais Hatch of Deepwater Vicki Dean of Kingaroy in Queensland and Anna Laura Reedy of Spokane (USA). Mi-chael Brown of Ocean Shores rejoined. Casino’s New Environment Centre The Casino Environment Centre has been operating for a couple of months. While strongly focussed on CSG issues, volunteers have been tested by the wide range of environmental interests being referred to them by folk coming in to have a look around. The official opening on 10 May attracted a large, happy crowd. The ribbon was cut by no other than FOK's koala - very fitting given that Richmond Valley Council has accepted OEH funding to prepare a Comprehen-sive Koala Plan of Management for part of the LGA. We congratulate Philippe Dupuy and his team and wish the Centre every success.

Farmer Charlie Winner Lili Bailly of Larnook was the winner of our April Farmer Charlie raffle. Many thanks to everyone who supported the raffle and a very special thanks to the FOK volunteers who sold tickets over the three days: Susannah Keogh, Julia Sidnell, Judy Poulton, Lyn Isbester, Lili Bailly, Lola Whitney, Marg & Terry

Bulletin Board Russell, Sue Smallcombe, Mark Wilson, Liz & Terry Marshall, Denise Braid-wood, Pat Barnidge and Fay Sharpe. De-registering of the NR Environ-ment Trust You will be aware that the State’s Catchment Management Authorities, Livestock Health and Pest Authorities and DPI Agricultural Advisory Services are being replaced by the new Local Land Services, to take effect in January 2014.

One of the many consequences of abol-ishing the CMAs is winding-up the Northern Rivers Environment Trust which was established by the CMA Northern Rivers’ Board to fund environ-mental and natural resource manage-ment projects. Funds held in the Trust are presently being distributed to several organisations within the CMA’s bound-aries, including Friends of the Koala. Bremer Valley Koalas OGL Resources Ltd is planning to re-open the 675ha Ebenezer open-cut coal mine in Queensland's Bremer Valley. It then plans to expand across the enor-mous 9,202ha Bremer View mining development lease, west through Grand-chester - impacting up to 400 farms and residents of Ipswich and Rosewood. Local wildlife is also at great risk - an important koala population (estimated to have dropped by 40% over recent years in the Ipswich region) that will be even more severely impacted by the destruc-tion of habitat from the Ebenezer/Bremer View mine.

Cranky Koala, aka Mark Selmes, attend-ed OGL’s AGM in Sydney at the end of May to represent his Koala constituen-cy. Watch a short video of his escorted eviction at: http://www.youtube.com/watch v=Lz345TOdp58&feature=youtu.be 9th Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference The Australian Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference is held every second year. The 2014 Conference will be held in Hobart, from 27-30 May. The Confer-ence theme is New Directions: Accom-modating Change and the Committee is now calling for papers (abstracts due 1 September, 2013). For more information visit: http://awrchobart2014.org/

Casino Environment Centre opened

Koala Connections Progress Koala Connections is hitting its straps with bush regeneration training and work, expanded landholder engagement, community promotion, field days, work-shops, signage for participating land-holders and plantings.

Since the end of Summer over 5,000 trees, 1,100 of them primary koala food trees have been planted on private land in the Myocum-Tyagarah area of Byron Shire. Tweed Mayor Barry Longland formally launched the project at the World Environment Day Festival in Murwillumbah. The Steering Committee’s second meet-ing was held towards the end of May. To date Friends of the Koala’s involve-ment in this ambitious project has been by providing koala food tree seedlings, writing promotional editorial for publi-cation and leading workshops.

Koala cookie cutters brought back from the Nation-al Conference by Jo Green were put to good use at the Gondwana Tyagarah [Koala Connections] tree-planting on 31 May.

Mayor Barry Longland (centre), with Michael Corke, Biodiversity Project Officer and Sally Jacka, Koala Con-nections Coordinator

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Dates for your Diary Member Profile - Susannah Keogh

A fter joining FoK for an afternoon shift in January 2012, Susannah

was hooked - she had found the once in a lifetime passion she had been waiting for! She put in the hard yards (not too hard but there were definitely yards involved), bribed the right people (home-made chili sauce as well as chocolate cupcakes work really well) and sure enough, she triumphed! These days she does all sorts of stuff but her main tasks are counting cash (Treasury), dishing out break-fast, lunch and afternoon tea (Shift Su-pervisor – Mondays) and sharing the love (Facebook updates). Life is sweet! What's the best thing about where you live? The wildlife – hands down. Whether it’s the carpet python in my roof (3.5 metres long!!!), the koalas changing sleeping positions in the surrounding trees, the baby water dragons darting in and out of the sun on my deck or the tawny frog-mouth watching me garden… it’s all priceless. What are you reading? The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha. A fabulous book to remind me that awe-some is everywhere. What is your favourite movie? Now this is a tough one! I guess, of all my favourites, Sound of Music would win. I love a sing-a-long musical! What's your favourite hobby/pastime? I love to relax and make jewellery or finish some hand-sewing. Gardening is

also wonderful, as is cooking. I guess ‘creating’ would be the best answer. Your idea of a perfect Sunday? Good coffee – anything after that is a bonus! Your most memorable travel experi-

ence? My entire family (17 of us) went to Singapore for NYE last year. It was the first time we had all been there since we lived there as children in the mid 70s. As soon as we ar-rived we went to Newton’s Circus for Satay sticks, mango juice and flavoured ice – it was exactly as we remembered! What would you most like to

be doing in five year's time? More of the same – I’m happy where I am. Who is the person you'd most like to meet? While I’d like to download Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki’s brain, I think the person I would like to meet is David Suzuki. From a very young age, I remember this man making me want to change to world. What has been your favourite koala moment? Having a koala “sleep over” after a res-cue is always interesting, just as releas-ing a koala is rewarding. However, watching a koala recover from disease that would otherwise have killed him/her is worth every second of time and effort I put in. Recently, our big boy Jack was released after a very serious case of con-junctivitis. Watching him improve from week to week was amazing but the “before” and “after” photos were breath taking.

Susannah Keogh

Albert Park School pupils planting for their future

From The Northern Star, Monday October 1908, p.2. In Pursuit of a Native Bear : note the word Koala is not used at all.

Dates for your Diary 8 June 2013: Friends of the Koala Combined Treatments Training and Supervisors’ Meeting, 11am-1pm Koa-la Care Centre 16 June 2013: Friends of the Koala Stall, 7amish to 2pmish, Lismore Car-boot Market 22 June 2013: Lismore Lantern Pa-rade 5pm, Parade Assembly, Market St 1 July 2013: 2013-2014 Friends of the Koala Membership Subscriptions Due (see Renewal Form p.15) 21 July 2013: Friends of the Koala Stall, 7amish to 2pmish, Lismore Car-boot Market 25-27 July 2013: Farmer Charlies Fruit & Vegetable Raffle, Farmer Charlies, Lismore 26 July 2013: Schools Tree Day 27 July 2013: Friends of the Koala Committee Meeting, 2pm, venue to be advised. 28 July 2013: National Tree Day 18 August 2013: Friends of the Koala Stall, 7amish to 2pmish, Lismore Car-boot Market 24-25 August 2013: NSW Wildlife Council, Inc. 29th General Meeting & 8th Annual General Meeting. The Cen-tre, Randwick 27 August 2013: Contributions due

for Treetops (September issue)

A lbert Park Public School and other Water Watch schools held a healthy

catchment action day on the 8th April.

FOK’s Rick Stewart and Mark Wilson and a couple of bush regeneration offic-ers from Rous Water were part of the action, talking about planting trees and koalas, their diseases and habitat. 450 trees were planted along the Wilsons River opposite the school.

Native Bear Stops

Lismore

Wilsons River Catchment Schools

Education and Restoration Project

Treetops is printed on recycled paper.

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Treetops … the Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc. June 2013

Name………………………………………………………..………………….

Postal address…………………………………………………………………..

City/Suburb……………………. Postcode……….Country……………...

Phone……………………….….. Mobile…………………………………

Email…………………………………………………………………...............

Membership category (please tick)

� Ordinary—Individual/Family (within Australia) ................................. $20

� Concession—Full time Student/Pensioner (within Australia) .............. $10

� International—Individual/Family (outside Australia) .......................... $50

I/We would like to make an additional donation of : $ ................

Total payment is: $..................

Payment by:

�Direct Debit (your name as reference) to: Friends of the Koala Inc., BSB 722-744

A/C 38533 Southern Cross Credit Union Ltd.

or �Cash (preferred) �Cheque �Money order

�Credit card (amounts over $20) Cardholder Name…………………………………….

Card Type (e.g. Visa)….…….………..….Number…………………………….…….Expiry Date (mm/yy)…./.…

Post to: The Treasurer, Friends of the Koala Inc., PO Box 5034, East Lismore, NSW 2480

I agree to abide by the licensing requirements, the constitution and the policies of ‘Friends of the Koala’ Inc.

Signature…. ………………………………………………………………………………Date….…/….…/……..

The Management Committee reserves the right to refuse any application for membership or renewal.

I/We are interested in: (please tick)

� Tree Planting

� Plant Nursery work

� Caring for sick & injured koalas

� Leaf collection

� Rescue

� Committee / Administration

� Fundraising

� Publicity

� Education

� Surveys / Mapping

� Information Technology

� Phone Roster

� I/We would like someone to phone and explain about

volunteering with Friends of the Koala

Office Use Only

Date Received……………Receipt #...................Donation Receipt #.....................Date Passed by Committee………..

Contact Information: 24 hr Rescue Hotline: 6622 1233 Koala Care Centre: 6621 4664

email:[email protected] web:www.friendsofthekoala.org

Volunteers Working For: Koala Rescue and Rehabilitation . Advocacy . Education . Environmental Repair

President Lorraine Vass 6629 8388 [email protected]

Vice President Rick Stewart 6622 4258 [email protected]

Secretary Louise Charter 0410 570 672 [email protected]

Treasurer Susannah Keogh 0431 707 883 [email protected]

Trees Officer Mark Wilson 6624 5032 [email protected]

Care Coordinator Pat Barnidge 6622 3690 [email protected]

Care Centre Coordinator Lola Whitney 6621 3523 [email protected]

Training Officer Beverley Smith 6621 3671 [email protected]

Leaf Harvesting Coordinator Dot Moller 6628 4270 [email protected]

Phone Roster Coordinator Pat Barnidge 6622 3690 [email protected]

Application/renewal form — ‘Friends of the Koala, Inc.’ Membership runs from 1st July to 30th June.

� Please tick here if a receipt is required

� Please tick here if you would like to receive Treetops by email (pdf colour file)

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Treetops … the Newsletter of Friends of the Koala Inc. June 2013

POSTAGE

PAID

AUSTRALIA

IF UNDELIVERABLE RETURN TO:

‘FRIENDS OF THE KOALA’ INC

PO BOX 5034

EAST LISMORE NSW 2480

PRINT POST APPROVED

1100002148

Deadline for next newsletter: Tuesday 27th August 2013 Contributions gratefully accepted – please post to FOK or email [email protected]

81 Molesworth St, Lismore Enquiries 13 23 91 Interruptions 13 20 80 www.essentialenergy.com.au