Koala Conservation Program
Koalas can often be seen throughout the region in both urban and
bushland areas. To support the region's koalas, Moreton Bay
Regional Council implements a koala conservation program that
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Koala Nature Refuges
Council has set aside more than 280 hectares of land for koala
habitat, through establishing Koala Nature Refuges, a class of
protected area under the Queensland Nature Conservation
The following Council reserves are declared Koala Nature Refuges
and are subject to strict conservation agreements between Council
and the Department of Environment and Science:
- Whiteside Road Park, Whiteside (2.4 ha);
- Brian Burke Reserve, Samford Valley (268 ha); and
- Kurwongbah Park, Petrie (12 ha).
Koala Habitat Restoration
Council carries out koala habitat restoration projects, aimed at
increasing the amount and quality of koala habitat in the region.
Projects underway or delivered include:
- On-going maintenance across North Ridge Circuit, North
- On-going maintenance at Sir Dapper Drive Park, Burpengary.
- Brian Burke Reserve, Samford Valley - 2,060 koala habitat trees
and 1,800 shrubs and grasses planted to expand the available koala
habitat within and increase connectivity across the reserve.
- North Ridge Circuit, North Lakes - 1,200 koala habitat trees
and 1,000 shrubs and grasses planted in a key wildlife movement
corridor to increase koala habitat and safe movement
- Sir Dapper Drive Park, Burpengary - 994 tube stock planted that
include koala habitat trees, shrubs and grasses to expand the
available koala habitat within and increase connectivity across the
Urban Koala Project
The Urban Koala Project is a
collaborative research project between Council and the Sunshine
Coast University, with assistance from the Queensland Government to
deliver small growing gum trees (Eucalyptus kabiana)
suitable for use in urban areas.
Koala Conservation Partnership Project
In 2009, the Moreton Bay Koala Conservation Partnership Project [PDF 160KB]
was initiated to help secure the long-term sustainability of koala
populations in the region.
Project partners include MBRC, SEQ Water, SEQ Catchments,
Energex, the Department of Environment and Resource Management and
the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
This project aligns activities to achieve optimal investment in
koala conservation. Project outcomes include mapping, development
guidelines, enhancement of existing koala habitat and reinstatement
of linkages between habitat patches; koala-friendly fencing and
road crossing retrofits; koala fodder plantations for carers;
covenants to secure the on-ground investment; wild dog control
measures, and education and awareness programs.
Milestones achieved through the project so far
- Identification of priority areas for future koala restoration
- Revegetation of key koala habitat areas;
- Strengthening of communication and collaboration between
project partners and community groups;
- Collaboration with DTMR on retrofitting road infrastructure to
minimise car hits on main roads;
- Identification of key sites for local road retrofitting to
minimise car hits; and
- Adoption of a Koala Conservation Policy.
Ongoing and future projects
- On-going maintenance of Koala Fodder Plantations at Mungarra
Reserve (1,300m2), Madeline Drive Park (2,810
m2) and Caboolture Regional Environmental Education
- On-going retrofitting of local roads to minimise car
- Revegetation of key habitat priority areas; and
Koala Chlamydia Vaccine Research
Council is a foundation funding partner with the University of
the Sunshine Coast (USC) in the research, development and initial
field trials of a chlamydia vaccine for koalas. Chlamydia is a
serious threat, with 40 percent of all koalas presented to wildlife
hospitals showing chronic symptoms of the disease which can lead to
blindness, infertility and death.
Koalas that were previously being monitored as part of
Peninsular Rail Line (the Moreton Bay Rail Link project)
were included in the koala chlamydia vaccine field trials, under
phase one of the project. Results from the trial indicate that the
chlamydial disease prevalence of this population decreased from
around 28% to less than 1%, which is a promising sign.
USC is continuing development of the koala chlamydia vaccine
with Council's support to implement carry out field trials
throughout the region, under phase two of the project.
Wild Dog Management
Wild dogs are known to be a significant threat to koala
populations across South East Queensland. Council has an extensive
wild dog management program.
For assistance and advice regarding koala rescue or care please
How do I get involved in koala conservation activities?
- Be a responsible animal owner:
- Be alert to koalas on your property and always restrain your
dog when koalas are present Do not allow your dog to roam,
especially at night.
- Always walk your dog on-lead, unless you're in a designated
- Report sick or injured koalas - the region has several koala
care groups that help treat and transport sick or injured
- Get involved in conservation and restoration activities in your
local area - become a Bushcare volunteer
Where to find a koala
Not sure where to find a koala? Try visiting your local park
- John Oxley Reserve, Murrumba Downs
- Old Petrie Town, Whiteside
- Chelsea Street Reserve, Rothwell
- Kurwongbah Park Koala Nature Refuge, Petrie
- Whiteside Park Koala Nature Refuge, Whiteside