NSW Koala Strategy releases first year report and implementation plan
The report summarises the key achievements of the NSW Koala Strategy in the first year, to 30 June 2022, and outlines how each of the Strategy actions will be delivered to 2026.
Much has been achieved since the NSW Government announced a new $190-million NSW Koala Strategy (the Strategy), the first in a series of 5-year plans that work towards doubling koalas in New South Wales by 2050.
The recently published Implementation Plan and Progress Report 2021-22 summarises this progress in year 1 (to 30 June 2022) and provides additional information on how actions will be implemented to 2026.
Key achievements under each of the 4 pillars include, but are not limited to:
Pillar 1 – Koala habitat conservation
Great strides have been made towards conserving more koala habitat.
More than 2,000 hectares (ha) of high-quality koala habitat have been purchased to add to the national park estate, fulfilling commitments under both the current and previous strategies. Commitments are also in place to purchase a further 1,854 ha.
A total of 3,365 ha of koala habitat will be permanently protected on private land, thanks to the establishment of 58 conservation agreements with private landowners via the Biodiversity Conservation Trust.
Find out more about koala habitat conservation under the NSW Koala Strategy.
Pillar 2 – Supporting local communities to conserve koalas
As at 30 June 2022, 8 regional partnerships were in development to ensure community expertise and knowledge are informing on-ground actions. Many of these partnerships are now established and delivering much needed conservation work across the state.
An Aboriginal partnership with the Gumbaynggirr community has been renewed, and investment increased, to ensure continued integration of traditional ecological knowledge into koala conservation. Another Aboriginal partnership is in development with the Yuin community on the far south coast.
Find out more about supporting local communities under the NSW Koala Strategy.
Pillar 3 – Improving the safety and health of koalas
There has also been significant progress to improve the safety and health of koalas. Vehicle strike mitigation works have started in the Byron, Lismore, Port Stephens and southern Sydney areas.
More than 160 vets and vet nurses have received professional wildlife care training, delivered in partnership with Taronga Conservation Society Australia.
Significant support has also been provided to wildlife rehabilitators to deal with the impact of flooding at koala rehabilitation sites and to purchase new equipment.
Find out more about improving koala safety and health under the NSW Koala Strategy.
Pillar 4 – Building our knowledge of koalas
To improve our knowledge of koalas, more than $1.3 million has been awarded to fund 8 research grants to fill key knowledge gaps identified under the NSW Koala Research Plan.
Planning and delivery have also begun for the flagship $20.5 million program to establish a baseline number of koalas across New South Wales and measure changes over time.
Find out more about building our knowledge under the NSW Koala Strategy.
To download the Implementation Plan and Progress Report 2021–22 visit the NSW Koala Strategy page.