PRIME Minister Scott Morrison recently announced $50 million to facilitate the long-term protection and recovery efforts for Australia’s koalas.

He said the funding would bring together the best of the best researchers, land managers, veterinarians and citizen scientists to protect one of the most special species in the world.

The $50 million is to be spread over next four years and includes $20 million for habitat and health protection projects, $10 million for community-led initiatives, $10 million to extend the National Koala Monitoring Program, $2 million to improve koala health outcomes and $1 million for koala care, treatment and triage.

However, not everyone has been as effusive about the funding as the Prime Minister.

Kevin Evans, President of the Coffs Coast Branch of National Parks Association of NSW, told News Of The Area, “To double our koala population, which is the stated objective of the NSW Government, we must protect and connect remaining koala habitat.

“The quickest and simplest way to achieve this is to commit to ending loss making native forest logging and restore these forests just as the WA and Victorian Government have announced,” he continued.

Mr Evans said, “The taxpayer already owns these forests so it’s the cheapest strategy.

“We must also address widespread land clearing of koala habitat on private land and declare new targeted protected areas such as the Great Koala National Park,” he said.

“The solution is simple, koalas need mature connected forests if they are to survive and what we don’t need is more research to tell us they are endangered,” Mr Evans said.

Local conservationist Tim Cadman from Griffith University described the package as “too little, too late”.

“All the while the bigger problems of climate change, logging and land clearing continue unchecked, our national icon is doomed,” he said.

“Koala habitat must be identified and protected and funding museums, zoos and hospitals is no substitute.

“Political will is required to confront this challenge head-on, not sideways,” Dr Cadman said.

 

By Andrew VIVIAN