In this special part of the world, you share your streets, gardens, parks and bushland with one of the world’s most lovable yet vulnerable animals – the Koala. Living with Koalas is a privilege and a big responsibility. Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to give your local Koalas a helping hand. Remember… Koalas are not living in OUR backyards. We’ve moved into THEIRS!
Vegetation
Don’t destroy eucalypts and other native vegetation on your block. As well as being homes for Koalas, they are food, shelter and nesting sites for many other native animals and birds. The hollows in older trees are very important to many animals and they may take hundreds of years to develop. If we destroy all the older established trees, where are these animals going to live and nest until new trees mature to this level?
Find out which types of eucalypts the local Koalas prefer and plant these in your area. Check the National Koala Tree Planting List.
Plant trees along fences and creeklines as linkages to parks and bushland, allowing the Koalas more safety from dogs and cars Do not plant Koala trees in places which would encourage Koalas into danger, such as on main roads, fenced in with swimming pools or close to power lines.
Fencing
If Koalas already use the trees in your yard, then those are likely to be their home trees. Koalas need to be able to move freely across the ground and they need to be able to escape quickly if a dog is chasing them or if they feel threatened in any way.
The best scenario is no fence at all. If there are no dogs allowed on the property then no fence is required. Native vegetation hedges also makes excellent screening and provide habitat for small birds. They also allow unrestricted fauna movement.
Koala Fence 1
At least a 30cm gap under the fence. The fence can then be made of any materials as long as the gap allows koalas to move freely underneath it.
Koala Fence 2
Post and bridge system over the fence. Ensure that a post exists every 10 – 20 metres along the fence and that there is also a post on the other side to allow the Koala to get down.
Koala Fence 3
Lattice secured to the fence. Ensure there is a full panel every 10 – 20 metres and that the panel extends from the ground to the top of the fence.
Capping on top of the fence may also make it easier for the Koalas to move along the top of the fence out of harms way.
If you have a dog, encouraging Koalas into your yard when you are not prepared to take precautions with your dog is irresponsible. It may be more humane to deter Koalas from entering your yard altogether by having a Koala-proof fence with no overhanging trees to allow them access. However, the more trees the Koalas have access to the better, and surely it is worth taking the trouble to be a responsible dog owner and have the priviledge and delight of having Koalas visit your garden.
Swimming Pools
Although they can swim, some Koalas drown in swimming pools because they often are unable to climb back out if they fall in. If you have a swimming pool, securely tie a sturdy rope to a tree or post at the side of the pool and place the end in the pool. Alternatively, you could ensure that your pool fence is Koala-proof, as well as child-proof.
Cars
- Drive slowly and carefully at night. Koalas are nocturnal. Keep to the speed limits.
- Carry a sack, blanket, towel or box in your car, in case you encounter an injured animal when out driving.
- Carry the phone number of your local Koala group or rescue service in your car.
Other
- Let neighbours know about the local Koalas and how they can help.
- Report sick, injured or dead Koalas to your local wildlife group or National Parks and Wildlife Service.
- Be careful with garden sprays, pesticides and creosote. Koalas sometimes eat soil, and can also absorb these poisons through the pads on their feet or through eating leaves of trees which have been affected by chemicals.
- In times of drought or particularly hot weather, place a container of water for the Koala at the base of a known home tree.
- Observe Koalas from a distance. Don’t throw things at a Koala to make it move. Wild Koalas become stressed very easily.
- Never try to pat a wild Koala – it’s not as cuddly as it looks! Those sharp claws and teeth can inflict quite a nasty wound.
- Teach your children to love and appreciate all wildlife (Koalas for Kids).
- Familiarize yourself and adhere with your local dog regulations, tree preservation orders, state planning legislation and Endangered Species Act, and notify relevant authorities if others contravene them.
- Keep vigilant in your local area about habitat destruction and about the welfare of Koalas. Notify your local wildlife group if you are concerned.
- Write to politicians and newspapers with your concerns. Suggest your council erects signs warning of Koalas crossing roads, improved street lighting etc.
The Australian Koala Foundation would like to acknowledge all the wonderful work done by local Koala groups and individuals, and thank them for sharing their wealth of knowledge on local Koala issues for the benefit of Koalas in the compiling of this information section. Your local Koala group is one of a number of local groups in Australia which are involved in taking care of sick and injured animals and/or being active in keeping an eye on local Koala issues. Most groups rely on volunteers and have to raise their own funds, please get involved and assist them in any way you can.
Koalas and Development
The Australian Koala Foundation is frequently contacted by members of the community concerned about developments taking place in their local area. And, like those that contact us, we want to see the trees and the Koala protected. But the sad truth is that the laws of this country do not protect Koalas. The AKF cannot help stop a development that will have a significant impact on Koalas because there is currently no law that will let us help. That is why the AKF is committed to the Koala Protection Act, a simple piece of Federal legislation that will provide meaningful protection for Koalas across the country. If you want to help see this happen, please join the Koala Army.
Some helpful suggestions
If the trees are already being knocked down, it is likely too late to protect a site. The time to take action is before any approval to clear has been granted. Once a proponent has permission to clear trees from all the relevant agencies, there is little that can be done to stop the clearing.
Of course there is one caveat. If trees are being knocked down without the permission of Local Government (and in some instances State Government), then any clearing may be illegal.
Your first step should be to contact the Local Council to report the clearing and ask the clearing to be halted until Council have investigated. Sadly in numerous previous situations, Councils have been slow to react, and it is only because concerned residents have taken action that trees have been saved from clearing.
You need evidence that Koalas are using the site; take some photos of Koalas using the site, and any Koala scat you can find under trees. Register your sightings on KoalaMap.
In Australia, three levels of Government may have a role to play in protecting Koala habitat from development.
The Local Government Planning Scheme should be your first port of call. Is the land zoned for environmental purposes? What permissions are required before clearing can occur? In New South Wales and Southeast Queensland, there are specific policies in place to protect Koalas.
The sad truth, however, is that if proponents play by the rules, and fill out the right forms, there is no legislation in Australia that will prevent tree clearing.
Contact the relevant State environmental agency and ask them to check whether the clearing is in compliance with State Government requirements. Note though, that there have been over 10 Koala policy and guideline documents introduced in Queensland since 1995, and populations have still declines by as much as 75% in some parts of Southeast Queensland; these policies are often little more than window dressing, designed to give the impression of action, while imposing as few restrictions on development as possible.
Have a look here to see if the action has been referred. If it has, you can see the current status of the referral, and whether Federal approval has been granted. If not, and clearing/development is occurring, contact the Department’s Compliance area to report a potential breach. Note however that the Federal Government is not concerned with some instances of clearing, in particular areas of less than two hectares. You can get more information on what types of development the Government is concerned with here.
Current Koala legislation is focussed on attempting to protect large blocks of habitat. One consequence is that other threats to Koalas are largely ignored. For example, there is little legislation available for protect small patches of habitat or single trees from small develop, such as mobile phone or NBN towers. There is also no legislation protecting Koalas from the flow-on effects of development on cleared land, such as increased traffic or dogs which may impact neighbouring Koalas. Only the Koala Protection Act will protect Koalas across the country.
Meaningful legislation is the only way to protect Koalas.
There is currently no legislation, anywhere in the country, that can protect Koalas and Koala habitat in Australia. The listing of the koala as “vulnerable” under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act in 2012 changed nothing. This is supposed to be the premier law for protecting Australia’s environment, yet it is powerless. By the time you read this page the bulldozers may already be working, but it is not too late to take action. Below we have listed some of the things that might make a difference.
Join the Koala Army. The Australian Koala Foundation is committed to the introduction of the Koala Protection Act to provide real legislative protection for koalas, and we need your help.
Media attention can help. Contact your local newspaper. Often they will have an environmental reporter who may be interested in the plight of your Koalas. Write letters to the editor of your local and national newspapers.
Speak to your Federal member. The Government needs to hear your story to convince them to protect Koalas and their habitat. Check Act or Axe for your local member, and a template letter your could send them.