Media Release - 18-07-06

Project to save koalas

A coalition of State and local government agencies is working with the local community to develop a new approach to the management of koalas in the south east that considers the species across all land tenures rather than just public lands.

As part of efforts to find the best way to manage and improve the sparse koala population on the far south coast, a local community working group made up of residents who have local knowledge and experience with or sightings of koalas in recent times, will meet on August 3 to review a conservation plan put forward by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation.

The conservation plans include management of koalas in an area south of Tuross River to the Victorian border and as far west as Bombala. Working group spokesperson and DEC biodiversity conservation manager, Michael Saxon, says there may be less than 100 koalas in this part of the world.

"It's a critically low number and a management issue that the entire community needs to consider if we are to reverse this obvious and dramatic decline," Mr Saxon said.

"It is our hope that we will begin to develop a clearer region-wide plan for the effective management of koalas across the landscape that will help us help this species survive regionally in the future."

For more information phone Stuart Cohen at the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service on 6298 0311.