Koalas across the Moreton Bay Region

The Moreton Bay Koala Conservation Partnership Project was initiated to help secure the long-term sustainability of koala populations in the region.

The project aligns activities to achieve optimal investment in koala conservation. Project outcomes include:

• mapping
• development guidelines
• enhancement of existing koala habitat and reinstatement of linkages between habitat patches
• koala-friendly fencing and road crossing retrofits
• koala fodder plantations for carers
• covenants to secure on-ground investment
• wild dog control measures
• education and awareness programs.

Council has ensured the protection of more than 280 hectares of land for koala habitat as Koala Nature Refuges (KNR). Koala Nature Refuges are a class of protected area under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 and are subject to conservation agreements between Council and the Department of Environment and Science.

Visit the KNRs at:

• Whiteside Road Park, Whiteside (2.4ha)
• Brian Burke Reserve, Samford Valley (268ha)
• Kurwongbah Park, Petrie (12ha).

Council carries out koala habitat restoration projects aimed at increasing the amount, quality, and connectivity of koala habitat in the region. Habitat restoration usually involved large-scale weed control and planting koala food and habitat trees. After plants are in the ground and establishing well, Council continues to maintain the project areas.

Projects delivered or underway include at:

• North Ridge Circuit, North Lakes
• Sir Dapper Drive Park, Burpengary
• Brian Burke Reserve, Samford Valley
• Bickle Road, Murrumba Downs
• Nelson Road, Joyner
• Walkers Road, Morayfield
• Sylvester Drive, Kallangur.

The Urban koala tree trial is a collaborative research project between Council and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), with assistance from the Queensland Government to deliver small growing gum trees, Eucalyptus kabiana (Mt Beerwah mallee) suitable for use in urban areas.

Eucalyptus kabiana are listed as Vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and is endemic to the Glasshouse Mountains. Within their endemic range they usually grow to five metres high, rarely exceeding 10 metres as a small tree. 

In 2016, USC provided Council with 95 Eucalyptus kabiana saplings to be planted across 20 reserves throughout the Moreton Bay Region. Since their establishment, Council has conducted annual monitoring of the Eucalyptus kabiana at the trial sites.

Some key observation from Council’s monitoring program include:

• Eucalyptus kabiana have exhibited two types of growth form, Mallee and Tree
• Some trees have exceeded the usual growth range for the species.

Council is a foundation funding partner with the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) in the research, development and initial field trials of a chlamydia vaccine for koalas. Chlamydia is a serious threat, with 40 percent of all koalas presented to wildlife hospitals showing chronic symptoms of the disease which can lead to blindness, infertility and death.

Koalas that were previously being monitored as part of Peninsular Rail Line (the Moreton Bay Rail Link project) were included in the koala chlamydia vaccine field trials, under phase one of the project. Results from the trial indicate that the chlamydial disease prevalence of this population decreased from around 28 percent to less than one percent, which is a promising sign.

USC is continuing development of the koala chlamydia vaccine with Council's support to implement carry out field trials throughout the region, under phase two of the project.

Wild dogs are known to be a significant threat to koala populations across South East Queensland. Council has an extensive wild dog management program.

For assistance and advice regarding koala rescue or care refer to Injured wildlife.