SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND KOALA CONSERVATION STRATEGY

The Queensland Government has released the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2020-2025 (the strategy). The strategy aims to halt the decline of koala populations and secure their long-term future.

In February this year the Government introduced restrictive new regulatory amendments to the planning framework and enforcement of updated koala habitat mapping ahead of the finalisation of the strategy. As part of these changes the State Government is now responsible for assessing development that proposes to clear koala habitat areas outside of the Koala Priority Areas.

The Property Council in conjunction with the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA), provided comprehensive submissions on the draft strategy and mapping.

The final strategy contains 10 actions relating to Koala habitat protection. Two of these actions have been completed following the introduction of planning regulatory amendments and new koala habitat mapping. Other actions include further alignment of the environmental offsets framework and the new koala protections which is due to be completed in 2022.

The Property Council will continue its advocacy efforts throughout the strategy’s implementation. If you have feedback on how the new restrictions are impacting development outcomes please contact the policy team at [email protected].

To access the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2020-2025, click here.

To view the planning regulatory framework click here, or to access the updated koala habitat mapping click here.