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Overview

This strategy will guide the conservation and management of koalas and their habitat across the MidCoast region for the next five years.

The MidCoast Koala Conservation Strategy forms part of the broad koala conservation program in the MidCoast, called the Koala Safe Spaces Program. While the Koala Safe Spaces Program has so far focused on gathering data and developing community awareness about koala conservation, the MidCoast Koala Strategy documents management actions for koala recovery and conservation. The strategy has been informed by koala sightings data, habitat mapping, applied scientific knowledge and the ideas and perspectives of stakeholders and the community.

The strategy outlines 5 key actions

View the strategy below

To view the document in full-screen in the interactive PDF viewer above, select the bracket icon at the bottom-right side the toolbar to enable full-screen.

If you are having trouble viewing the document in the interactive PDF viewer, you may also download the documents below.


Koala habitat mapping



Exhibition period

The draft strategy was on public exhibition for community feedback from 25 March to 6 May 2024, where we received 36 formal submissions from the community and 2 formal submissions from govenrment agencies.

The feedback received from the community was considered and some minor changes were made to the draft document.

The strategy was then adopted by the elected Council at the 26 June 2024 Ordinary Meeting.


Community feedback

Feedback from the community largely related to action planning, koala habitat loss because of urban development and forestry, koala habitat protection and the management of threats.

Importantly, National Parks Wildlife Service agreed to have the National Park Estate included in the koala habitat mapping, which will be incorporated into the Strategy as soon as the mapping data becomes available. This will provide a more accurate representation of koala habitat in the MidCoast and facilitate a more holistic and strategic approach to guide conservation efforts.

Many of the comments related to issues outside of Council’s control or beyond the scope of the Strategy such as planning controls and the regulation of legislation administered by other government authorities.


Changes in response to submissions

Based on the feedback received the folowing minor changes were made to the strategy;

  • the addition of actions to address feral deer impacts
  • including local conservation area planning, and
  • the nomination of priority koala populations as Assets of Intergenerational Significance



Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    27 November 2023 - 11 February 2024

    Community consultation – drop-in sessions, surveys, koala reference group workshop.

  • Timeline item 2 - complete

    February - March 2024

    The draft strategy will be written based on community and stakeholder feedback

  • Timeline item 3 - complete

    March - May 2024

    The draft strategy will go out on public exhibition

  • Timeline item 4 - complete

    May - June 2024

    The strategy will be finalised based on the final round of community feedback

  • Timeline item 5 - complete

    26 June 2024

    Strategy adopted by Council

What else are we doing to help koalas?

The Koala Strategy forms part of Council's Koala Safe Spaces Program. Learn more about the program here.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live, the Gathang-speaking people and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who now reside in the MidCoast Council area. We extend our respect to elders past and present, and to all future cultural-knowledge holders.

Contact us

Email: haveyoursay@midcoast.nsw.gov.au

www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au

General enquiries - (02)7955 7777

Open Monday - Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays)

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