Dominic Cansdale reports for the ABC (8.12.19) on the state government’s release of a draft South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy, aiming to reverse koala habitat loss from land clearing in the southeast corner.
‘There will be no new developments within 570,000 hectares of a ‘koala priority area’ in south-east Queensland, according to a new draft strategy announced by the State Government.
‘Koala populations have decreased by up to 80 per cent over the past 20 years with almost three-quarters of essential habitat destroyed since 1960.
‘Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said areas identified as vital for koala conservation will be preserved in what is a ‘once in a generation opportunity’. “There’ll be allowed some limited clearing for fire breaks, but that’s basically it,” she said. “This is about the continual survival of a vulnerable species.”
‘… The consultation period for South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2019-24 ends on January 31, 2020.’
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