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KOALA BEACH ESTATE TWEED SHIRE
20 Years On
In the early 1990’s the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF)
agreed to work with the Ray Group to create a model for
koala-sensitive residential development at Koala Beach
IN THE BEGINNING
THE SITE
Around 365 ha in size.
Historically a cattle grazing and dairy
property with adjoining sugar cane.
Cleared in much of the low-lying and
undulating terrain, but hilly and wetter
sections relatively intact and regrowth in
some areas.
24 threatened flora and fauna species
identified at the site during ecological
assessments.
KOALA PLAN OF MANAGEMENT
Prepared by the AKF in the mid-1990’s
and updated in conjunction with
development stages.
Based on koala captures, health
assessments and radio-tracking.
Confirmed koala home ranges extended
over much of the bushland on the site, as
well as mainly cleared areas with
scattered trees.
KEY KPOM PROVISIONS
Habitat and population management
Development focused on previously cleared
parts of the site.
Protection of home range and single use trees in
the development area in local parks and via
covenants.
Protection and conservation zoning of bushland
areas outside the development footprint and
handover to Tweed Shire Council.
Koala habitat restoration and streetscape
plantings of preferred koala food trees.
KEY KPOM PROVISIONS Threat mitigation
Prohibition on dog ownership.
Slow traffic speed of 40 kph.
30 cm gaps under fences for koala movement.
Ongoing community involvement through a Wildlife and Habitat Management Committee chaired TSC.
Special Environmental Levy on residents to fund implementation of management measures and monitoring programs.
KOALA BEACH KOALA MONITORING
Commenced in 2005 with 20 SAT monitoring
sites and three search transects.
Follow-up surveys completed in 2007, 2010,
2012 and 2014-15.
Designed to detect trends in population
distribution and status.
SAT sites located in areas of high and medium
quality habitat - greatest likelihood for early
change detection.
KOALA MONITORING RESULTS SAT SURVEYS
All 20 SAT sites positive in 2005, 2007 and 2010, 18
positive in 2012 and 2014-15.
Downward trends @ 14 sites.
Recent upward trends @ 5 sites.
Mean activity across all 20 sites declined from ~ 51% in
2005 to ~ 21% in 2014-15.
SAT sites with greatest increases in recent activity
tended to be those nearer to residential areas.
KOALA MONITORING RESULTS KOALA SIGHTINGS
Koalas sightings from transect searches:
1 x AF with a back young + 1 x S-AM in 2005
2 x AF in 2007
2 x AF + 1 x AM in 2010
1 x AF + 1 x AM in 2012
Zero in 2014-15
Other sightings during monitoring surveys:
7 in 2005
4 in 2007
6 in 2010
3 in 2012
3 in 2014-15
TWEED COAST KOALA POPULATION STATUS
Surveys for Council in 2010 estimated a 50% decline in koala
occupancy over the previous decade.
Fire frequency and intensity identified as a major factor, combined
with habitat loss and fragmentation.
Council’s Tweed Coast Koala Study 2015 recorded declines in the
mean SAT activity from ~ 33% in 2010 to ~ 20% in 2015.
The 2015 surveys indicated a further 50% reduction in occupancy
since 2010.
In April 2016, the coastal koala population between the Tweed and
Brunswick Rivers was listed as “endangered” under the TSC Act
1995.
PROGNOSIS FOR THE KOALA BEACH POPULATION?
Uncertain given the threats facing the
Tweed Coast koalas.
Despite declines, the koala population
remains widespread across the site.
Breeding activity remains.
Regular koala sightings continue to be
reported by residents.
Streetscape trees are now quite large and
appear to be well used.
IMPORTANCE OF THE KOALA BEACH MODEL
The original aim for residents to live with wildlife at Koala
Beach remains.
Ongoing habitat restoration and monitoring programs continue –
funded by the Environmental Levy and supported by Tweed
Shire Council.
The Wildlife and Habitat Management Committee continues to
guide implementation of conservation and community education
programs.
Key measures such as the prohibition on dog ownership have
been questioned, but remain.
The site is well known in the planning and development industry
and is strongly promoted by Tweed Shire Council and the AKF.
Koala Beach is likely to play a pivotal role if efforts to foster
recovery of the Tweed Coast koala population prove successful.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING Questions?
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi