The Clarence Koala Working Group began in August 2020. It has been focusing efforts on habitat restoration, reducing domestic dog predation and vehicle strikes and has already achieved some impressive gains for Clarence koalas.
Peter Birch, Manager of Open Space and Facilities said, “The community based group came together with Government agencies and Council to help koalas regain habitat after the devastating effects of drought and bushfires in the Clarence Valley.”
“The working group actively seeks funding for on-ground works and have so far been successful in sourcing $20,000 from the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE),” said Mr Birch.
This funding has been used for:
- 1000 koala food trees given to 21 landholders in Seelands
- Variable message boards to target holiday drivers in key vehicle strike areas
- Rehabilitated roadside areas in Lawrence, linking key koala habitat
- Improving and connecting koala corridors in Kremnos
- Improving koala habitat on private properties with the Land for Wildlife program to help restore and enlarge koala habitat
Linda Wright, co-ordinator of the Clarence Koala Working Group said, “During 2021 work will commence to plant koala food trees on a 3 hectare site that our group has secured in Lawrence. This work connects existing koala habitat and expands the wildlife corridors.”
“Community driven surveys will be our other focus, enabling us to gain a better understanding of the local koala populations, their movements and the stability of population,” said Ms Wright.
A key target for the group is to finalize a strategic plan that focuses on on-ground works in key koala areas of the Clarence Valley.
Santiago Acera