Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

New alliance forms to address desperate situation for koalas in Victoria

New alliance forms to address desperate situation for koalas in Victoria
May 2, 2023

Aiming to address what it says is a “desperate situation for koalas” in Victoria, the Koala Alliance Victoria - an alliance of koala protection groups, will launch on Wild Koala Day on 3rd May.

Setting out to “speak out for Victoria’s imperilled koalas”, the Alliance formed by conservationists Janine Duffy, Jessica Robertson and Melinda Darer, has been formed because what it says is Victoria being “a hell-zone for koalas (with situation) getting worse”.

Advising that koalas are either being deliberately killed by Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) in one area, or they are being ignored as they slip into local extinction in another area, Duffy states “a koala living in the south-west is likely to have all her habitat cut down around her, or she might have her tree cut down while she’s still in it, and have her body bulldozed.

“A koala living in the You Yangs is likely to die from drought or a heatwave, or of starvation as her trees die due to climate change.

“A koala living in Mallacoota is lucky to have survived the 2019-2020 megafires, and is likely to face another one in her lifetime.”

Darer, of Friends of Alberton West, noted “despite being found to be the most genetically-diverse and robust of Australia’s koalas and potentially the key to securing a future for other compromised gene pools, the south Gippsland koala in the Strzeleckis receives no special protection, and is likely to have her forest cut down by VicForests and the tax payer is footing the bill - $54 million in 2021-2022- for this to happen.

“We only have 1500-2000 of these guys left and they face losing their home so it can be pulped & sent overseas!

“It’s simply madness.”

Belinda Eden of Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation, explained “on the Mornington Peninsula, a koala is likely to die from starvation as her trees are cut down due to lax planning laws.

“As a direct result, she then experiences stress-induced illness, often resulting in unnecessary suffering and death.”

The Alliance points out that despite all these threats, the Victorian Government and DEECA still claim that koalas in Victoria are ‘thriving and abundant’ based on a new modelling technique, pointing out that the figures are not based on actual counts, but are an estimate based on a computer model.

Robertson, of Ballarat Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation, added “we’d like to know how the government knows that koalas are ‘abundant’ - where is this data coming from? I know that in my area there has not been any research on koala abundance for many decades.

“It puzzles me why more do not question this claim of abundance, when everyone I speak to says the same thing, where have all the koalas gone?”

Duffy went on to advise “the government is blinded by this fantasy of koala overabundance. As a result, calls from koala carers & rescuers, researchers and citizen science groups to investigate shocking koala declines go unseen and unheard.

“We couldn’t stand it any longer: there has to be a group to investigate and rebut Victorian government misinformation about koalas.

“For example, there’s the Victorian Koala Management Strategy - 19 years late, and we’re still waiting.”

“The draft Victorian Koala Management Strategy is indefensible - it’s weak, bitter, defensive, stingy about costs, and obsessed with koala overpopulation, but still manages to fail to offer any solutions.”

“If we don’t act, koalas in Victoria will disappear without even getting onto the endangered list.”

Koala Alliance Victoria will launch on 3rd May, Wild Koala Day.

Click here to read the Alliance’s first investigation into the Victorian Koala Management Strategy.

Images: Koala road trauma near Portland, Victoria (top, credit: J. Robertson), trees left for one koala post harvesting near Portland (middle, credit: J. Robertson) and a young koala duringin the You Ynags during the 2014 heatwave (below, credit: Koala Clancy Foundation).

Related Articles

21st April 2023 - Feedback sought from Queenslanders on how to strengthen koala protections

3rd April 2023 - Bayside Council collaboration delivers floating haven for native wildlife

25th March 2023 - Wildlife organisations collaborate to rescue and rehabilitate Green Turtle

21st March 2023 - New documentary spotlights overtourism’s detrimental impact on environment and wildlife

3rd March 2023 - Australia’s conservation organisations celebrate World Wildlife Day

4th February 2023 - NSW Government invests in eight new koala research projects

11th January 2023 - Aussie Ark plants 2,000 native trees in just one day at Mongo Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

16th November 2022 - Toowoomba Regional Council seeks funding for koala mapping

4th November 2022 - Aussie Ark’s successful breeding of endangered Eastern Quolls likened to modern Jurassic Park

27th October 2022 - Conservation organisations deploy thermal drones to conduct koala population surveys

26th September 2022 - NSW Koala Strategy invests $1.4 million in state’s north

1st September 2022 - Parks Victoria releases draft designs for Hotham Alpine Crossing track

28th August 2022 - Koala Ward opens At Werribee Open Range Zoo

23rd August 2022 - Gunnedah Shire Council awards construction contract for Koala Sanctuary

3rd August 2022 - Significant site secured to protect koalas during Queensland’s M1 project

2nd August 2022 - Queensland Premier calls on Dreamworld owners to spend allocated funds on koala conservation

1st August 2022 - Conservation organisations delivered shocking news that no koalas found in prime habitat

27th July 2022 - Ardent Leisure allowed to use $2.7 million in koala research funding for new Dreamworld rollercoaster

12th July 2022 - Australian Koala Foundation issues warning to new Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek

16th June 2022 - WildArk and Aussie Ark to rewild a population of koalas on Mongo Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

1st June 2022 - $8.6million to restore and protect key koala habitat in Queensland’s Brigalow Belt

11th April 2022 - NSW Government releases its new Koala Strategy

21st February 2022 - New draft Victorian Koala Management Strategy released

9th February 2022 - Australian Government promises $50 million to save koalas while simultaneously clearing their habitat

30th June 2021 - Zoos Victoria trials guardian dogs in protecting endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoot

8th April 2021 - Parks Victoria advise that time is ‘running out’ to save the Alpine National Park

9th March 2021 - Local communities share $10 million funding for bushfire wildlife and habitat recovery

2nd October 2020 - Victorian Government undertakes to restore bushfire devastated forests

8th January 2008 - Government guide for humane killing of kangaroos slammed by animal conservationists


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Centaman Entrance Control

Turnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…

read more

Access / Entertainment / Sport / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

XBODY Australia Pty Ltd

PROVEN BUSINESS CONCEPTS WITH XBODY XBody’s goal is to see you and your EMS business succeed. That is why we don’t just sell equipment, we provide know-how, expert knowledge, business support…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Advanced Aquarium Technologies

Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) is a world leader in the design, construction, and operation of landmark public aquariums. Led from Queensland, AAT has delivered aquarium projects in over 25…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Parks / Zoos

 
 

Felton Industries

Felton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture and has been supplying premium seating solutions for all sporting, commercial, community…

read more

Parks / Play / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

TPEC Pool Enclosures

TPEC Pool Enclosures provide a large range of premium commercial and residential retractable swimming pool, spa and terrace enclosures throughout Australia, servicing residential, local government…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 

WATERPLAY Solutions Corp

Whether your goal is increasing your centre's revenues or creating an engaging environment, why not add play to your project? If you're looking for stylish aquatic play features, kid-tested…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Waterparks

 
 

APT Asia Pacific Pty Ltd

APT (Advanced Polymer Technology) is the leading global manufacturer of polyurethane-based materials, acrylic coatings and synthetic turf products for sporting and recreational applications. From…

read more

Environment / Sport / Surfaces / Technology

 
 

Parkequip

Parkequip is an approved supplier under the NSW LGP Contract 308 for a range of products including play equipment, shade, shelters, safe fall, park furniture and school outdoor seating. All materials…

read more

Fitness / Parks / Play / Recreation / Surfaces

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business