Koala Woman Says

This electorate covers most of the Port Stephens Local Government Area just north of Newcastle, and so is very popular for commuters. Despite Port Stephens having one of the first (2002) NSW Comprehensive Koala Plans of Management (CKPoM) Koala numbers continue to decline due to incremental development. Road mortality is another concern, with 89 Koalas killed along Port Stephens Drive between 2010 and 2020. At this rate, the new Koala Hospital will run out of patients. Recent research has shown that, because of habitat fragmentation, all Koalas east of Medowie are genetically isolated which increases inbreeding and susceptibility to disease. A new Koala Strategy is being developed but will not be as powerful as the existing CKPoM. In any case, most developments are smaller than the two-hectare threshold required for Referral to the Commonwealth Government under the EPBC Act. There is no way that cumulative development can be considered – the death of a thousand cuts. Again. For the last 25 years community dedication has kept the Koala from the brink of extinction but it seems like a losing battle. Stronger protection, such as would be enabled by a national Koala Protection Act, is the only long-term insurance for Port Stephens Koalas.

Will she Act or Axe?