Koala Woman Says
Koalas in this electorate are concentrated to the west from Fort Fairy to the South Australian border and north to Edenhope. In my Diary in 2013 I highlighted that there were many Blue Gum plantations being grown and harvested which resulted in Koala deaths. Elsewhere in this electorate Koalas are scattered around Ararat and Beaufort, and there are Koalas on the western fringes of the Otway Ranges north of Port Campbell. Koalas have disappeared from the Grampians because of bushfires. AKF estimates there may be as few as 200-500 Koalas across this vast area and are probably reasonably healthy. Again who can know? What is important is that many Koalas are still being injured with grave community concern.
Now in 2023, it is clear that there may be a more Koalas as a result of breeding successfully in 180,000 hectares of blue gum plantations (which will eventually be logged). Some say there are 47,000 Koalas in those plantations, but AKF doubts that is accurate. No matter how many Koalas there are, we all have to accept that these koalas are highly inbred and cannot be relied upon for long term conservation.
Member for Wannon
Mr Dan Tehan MP
Liberal National Party of Queensland
Dan.Tehan.mp@aph.gov.au
190 Gray St Hamilton VIC 3300
Will he Act or Axe?
Koala Numbers
Estimated AKF Koala Population: 6250-10,250
Estimated Koala Habitat left: 31.5%
Estimated Federal Government Population: 12,000-30,000
Estimated Federal Government Population: In 2021 – Unknown
Estimated AKF Koala population: in 2021 – unknown
Victorian Government estimates: 100,000 – 120,000
The Victorian Government opposed the protection of the koala and there is no Federal protective legislation in place.