State gets last say on building in koala habitats
ALL planning and development projects that will affect koala habitats should go through the State Government and not the Gold Coast City Council, a new report says.
However, the acting mayor says that is already the case.
The Koala Expert Panel report released yesterday advocates strengthening planning laws to protect the fast-dwindling koala population.
Numbers have dropped 80 per cent in southeast Queensland in 22 years.
The panel of academics and wildlife experts recommended six steps to reverse the decline.
The plan includes, a co-ordinated approach to conservation, habitat planning protections, habitat restoration, threat reduction, community engagement and further mapping.
“Part of any solution to koala conservation in southeast Queensland has to consider the planning framework,” panel chair Associate Professor John Rhodes said.
“A lot of the loss of habitat comes from urban development, which is regulated by the planning framework,” he said.
Dreamworld life sciences manager Al Mucci, who also sat on the panel, described the proposals as “bold”.
“If all of the recommendations are adopted I can put my hand on my heart and say the koalas will be in a better position in a few years time,” Mr Mucci said. “Now every area of the Queensland Government, community and industry will have to have koala front of mind. People and koalas need to learn to live together.”
Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch said the Government had accepted all six of the panel’s recommendations.
The report was yet to be received by the Gold Coast City Council, which in September voted for a State-supported “Borobi” reserve.
Acting mayor Donna Gates said the State Government already had responsibility for developments in or around koala habitats.
“The State Government has always had referral powers where a state interest exists,” she said.
“And clearly, there is a State interest in koalas.”
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