Scenic Rim vital to future of South East Queensland koalas

A study of Fassifern's koalas has revealed the health and abundance of this much-loved marsupial around the Fassifern Reserve. Photo credit: Tracey Moffatt.

A study of Fassifern's koalas has revealed the importance of the Scenic Rim to the future of one of Australia's most loved and endangered species. 

Tabled at this week’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, Fassifern's Koalas: Final report of koala surveys at Fassifern details recommendations for conserving and managing the Fassifern area's significant koala population.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the study by the eminent University of Queensland Koala Research Team in May and July 2023 revealed the health and abundance of koalas in and around the Fassifern Reserve. 

"In just four days, using ground-based and drone surveys, the team found 59 koalas confirming an abundant and overtly healthy koala population around Fassifern Reserve, along Warrill and Reynolds Creeks and in surrounding habitat," he said. 

"Sadly, while this is an important koala habitat, the Cunningham Highway near Fassifern Reserve is also a blackspot for koala vehicle strikes as Council records alone show there have been as many as 10 incidents at this location, including the loss of two koalas in one night in June 2022. 

"This report identifies the need for action to maintain koala habitat in partnership with landowners and organisations including the Department of Environment and Science, the Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Department of Resources, the Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust and Healthy Land and Water." 

Council's Biodiversity and Climate Change team will prepare a plan to identify potential funding sources, such as the Department of Environment and Science's koala threat mitigation project, to implement the report's recommendations. 

Scenic Rim's Biodiversity and Agribusiness Portfolio Councillor Duncan McInnes said the report had identified significant opportunities for collaboration, offering wide-ranging benefits for the Scenic Rim's koalas as well as waterways and agricultural businesses. 

"While the study has shown a thriving population in the Fassifern, koalas could still become extinct locally if we do not address the threats posed by habitat loss, drought, heatwaves and bushfire, diseases such as koala retrovirus and chlamydia and the loss of koalas through vehicle strikes and dog attacks," he said.