BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY OUR NATURE: KOALAS · 2020. 10. 21. · Koalas normally obtain sufficient...

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BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY

OUR NATURE: KOALAS

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Backyard BiodiversityThe Gold Coast is one of the most biodiverse cities in Australia.

Our native plants and wildlife are essential to our environmental, social and economic health and wellbeing.

Backyards are an important part of the Gold Coast’s natural landscape with more than half of the city’s native vegetation on private properties.

If you have a backyard, courtyard or a balcony you have the opportunity to support our native plants and animals by providing habitat for our diverse native wildlife.

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BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Koalas 3

Biodiversity is reduced when species become extinct. Plant and animal species which are at risk of extinction are known as threatened species.

Threatened species can be identified by their conservation status which is specified under both Federal [Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)] and State [Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act)] legislation.

A range of factors is used to assess a species’ conservation status including:

• the number of individuals remaining

• the overall increase or decrease in the population over time

• breeding success rates and known threats.

Threatened speciesWhile the categories and specific definitions used differs between State and Federal legislation, in both cases the status indicates whether a species still exists and how likely it is to become extinct.

Gold Coast

On the Gold Coast, species which are locally significant are known as City-wide significant (CWS) species. These species are important because they may be threatened, restricted to the Gold Coast, or at the edge of their geographic range.

You and your backyard can contribute to supporting threatened and CWS species by creating and restoring habitat in your backyard.

Throughout this booklet, Threatened, Near threatened and CWS species are identified using the symbols shown below. They are accurate at the time of printing.

CWS

MOST LIKELY TO BECOME EXTINCT

LEAST LIKELY TO BECOME EXTINCT

EXTINCT

Ex Wx CE E V CD

EPE V NT LC

EPBC Act

NC Act

Extinct Extinct in the wild

Presumed extinct in the wild

Critically endangered

Endangered

Endangered

Vulnerable

Vulnerable

Conservation dependant

Near threatened

Least concern

Threatened species


OUR NATURE: KOALAS

The koala is one of the most loved and recognisable of

Australia’s unique animals. The Gold Coast supports some of

the most important koala habitat and populations in South East

Queensland. These populations occur in over 32,000 hectares

of habitat within both public and privately owned land.

As well as being listed as a vulnerable species under both

Federal and State legislation, koalas are also a City-wide

significant species (CWS). Community involvement is essential

to ensure their long-term survival on the Gold Coast. There are

many conservation measures we can all take on our properties,

and in our neighbourhoods, to protect and support koalas.

Take action in your backyard• Protect established koala habitat and food trees.• Restore habitat on your property through assisted

natural regeneration.• Plant koala food trees and other habitat trees.• Be a responsible pet owner.• Help them to move safely across the landscape and

through your backyard.• Take care driving on the roads, especially during

breeding season.• Report and help manage vertebrate pests.• Report koala sightings.

Over

5500 Estimated number of

koalas within the Gold Coast in 2019.

Our koalas are

SMALLERthan those found in

southern states.

AUG – DECIs peak breeding

season, so koalas are on the move.

Koalas occur in only

4 AUSTRALIAN STATES

QLD, NSW, VIC and SA.


AUGUSTto

DECEMBER


About KoalasThe koala is one of Australia’s largest arboreal (tree-dwelling) marsupials and like much of our fauna, endemic (native and restricted) to our country. The koala occurs widely across eastern Australia, covering coastal and inland areas of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and a small area in South Australia. Their range is restricted to the presence of eucalypt forests and woodlands that contain a select group of trees on which they feed.

A fussy eater

Koalas are obligate folivores - which means they predominantly eat only one type of leaf. Their leaf of choice is Eucalyptus however they do feed on related genera, including Corymbia, Melalueca, Angophora and Lophostemon. They are one of only three mammal species that can survive on a diet of eucalyptus leaves. Greater Gliders and Ringtail Possums are the other species.

Eucalypt leaves are high in fibre and low in protein. They also contain a range of chemicals which make them unpalatable or toxic to most mammals. Koalas have many adaptations to cope with their unique diet. They have specialised teeth to nip the leaves from the tree and then shred them finely. They also have a specialised digestive system which includes a caecum. The caecum is an important part of the digestive system of mammals that eat a lot of plants. It contains millions of bacteria which help to breakdown the leaves. The liver is also very important as it detoxifies the oils and other compounds in the leaves.

Koalas only eat leaves and their leaf of choice is Eucalyptus


Due to the low-energy content of Eucalyptus leaves, Koalas spend around 18 to 20 hours of each day resting in order to conserve energy. They also have a very slow metabolic rate so their food can be retained in their digestive systems for long periods of time to allow as much energy as possible to be extracted from it.

Koalas normally obtain sufficient water from the 200 to 500 grams of leaves they eat per day. However, they do come to the ground and drink from pools and streams when conditions are hot and dry.

Preferred koala food trees

Koalas feed on a wide range of Eucalyptus species across their wider distribution. However, within local areas koalas mainly feed on a small number of preferred species. On the Gold Coast, there are more than 35 species of eucalypts. Of these, five are known to be preferred koala food trees.

Tallowwood Eucalyptus microcorys

Swamp Mahogany Eucalyptus robusta

Forest Red Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis

Small-fruited Grey GumEucalyptus propinqua

Grey Gum Eucalyptus biturbinata


Supplementary food trees

Although koalas have their preferred food trees, there are other tree species that provide supplementary food resources including species of iron barks, stringy barks and smooth barks.

IRON BARKS

Narrow-leaved Ironbark Eucalyptus crebra

STRINGY BARKS

Grey Ironbark Eucalyptus siderophloia

Tindale’s Stringybark Eucalyptus tindaliae

Thin-leaved Stringybark Eucalyptus eugenioides

Red Mahogany Eucalyptus resinifera

Broad-leaved White Mahogany Eucalyptus carnea


SMOOTH BARKS AND HALF BARKS Other important trees for koalasIn areas where the preferred food species occur in adequate abundance, koalas will utilise a wide range of other species for shelter. Koalas shelter in a variety of species to regulate their body temperature.

Koala resting in a Forest Oak

(Allocasuarina torulosa)

Narrow-leaved Red-gum Eucalyptus seeana

Smooth Barked Apple Angophora leiocarpa

Brush Box Lophostemon confertus

Spotted Gum Corymbia citriodora


Forest Oak Allocasuarina torulosa

Pink Bloodwood Corymbia intermedia

Swamp Sheoak Casuarina glauca

Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis

KOALA SHELTER TREES

Swamp BoxLophostemon Suaveolens

Hickory Wattle Acacia disparrima

Broad-leaved Paperbark Melaleuca quinquenervia

Black Wattle Acacia melanoxylon


The front paw with its distinctive “double thumb”

Clawless opposable big toe and double-clawed

(syndactylus) toe

Not just a pretty face

Koalas are well adapted to their life in the trees. They have muscular bodies, very strong forelimbs and soft, textured gripping pads and long, sharp claws on their paws to help them grip and climb. Even though they don’t have a tail they have excellent balance.

Their paws have a number of unique features to help them climb and grip. Both the front and hind paws have five digits each. The front paws have two fingers opposing the other three, giving the koala its distinctive “double thumb”. The hind paws have a clawless opposable big toe to help with gripping, while the second and third toes are fused together to form a double-clawed (syndactylus) toe used for grooming and removing pests such as ticks.

In South East Queensland, adult koalas grow up to around 70 centimetres in length from head to bottom and weigh, on average, between five and seven kilograms. Adult males are generally considerably heavier than females and can reach up to nine kilograms in the Gold Coast area.

Keen sense of hearing to help communicate

with other koalas over long

distances

Highly developed

sense of smell to detect toxins

in leaves and detect scent marking from other koalas

Thick, woolly fur for protection

from rain and extreme temperatures

Speckled rump makes them

harder to detect from the ground


Behaviour

Koalas are mainly nocturnal and tend to be most active around dawn and dusk (crepuscular). They are solitary animals. In areas where adequate habitat remains, koalas establish and occupy individual home ranges, typically only interacting with other individuals when breeding.

Reproduction and lifespan

Females are generally sexually mature and capable of breeding from around two years of age and can produce a maximum of one young per year. However, a breeding rate of one young every two years appears to be more common in the wild.

The koala breeding season in South East Queensland commences around July-August and can extend through until around April-May. This is a time of increased activity and movement on the ground between trees, particularly busy during the peak of the season from August to December.

Breeding males can be identified by the dark brown scent gland in

the centre of their white chests.

Koalas are usually born between November and February. At birth, koala joeys are blind and furless and about the size of a jelly bean (two to three centimetres). The young spend the first six or seven months in the safety of the mother's pouch, and then ride on her back and continue to suckle milk until around 12 months of age. After weaning the young koala moves out on its own, into a home range which overlaps with its mother. In two to three years it moves further away to establish its own independent home range.

Koalas generally live for about 10 - 14 years in the wild. However, in urban areas their life span can be significantly reduced due to the loss of suitable habitat and threats from dogs, cars and disease.


Give me land, lots of land

Koala home ranges adjoin or overlap with those of other members of the population and incorporate home range trees that are visited more frequently than others. Males are very territorial and don’t like to share their home range with other males. The home range areas vary in size due to habitat quality and demographic or social factors, with males tending to establish larger home ranges than females.

Koala populations depend on large areas (preferably 50 – 100 hectares) of eucalypt forests and woodlands for reproductive success and long-term sustainability. These large areas need to contain a high proportion of locally preferred koala food trees and be well connected to other home ranges with minimal barriers to movement.

Koalas travel on the ground to move between food trees, to find mates and find their own territories

when they are old enough to live independently

ALPHA FEMALE

DOMINATE MALE

SUB DOMINATE MALE

OTHER FEMALE

SUB DOMINATE MALE

SUB DOMINATE MALE

SUB DOMINATE MALE

OTHER FEMALE

OTHER FEMALE

Example of koala home ranges


Habitat on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast supports some of the most important koala habitat and populations in South East Queensland. Koalas remain widely distributed throughout the Gold Coast hinterland and within important urban areas such as Elanora, Currumbin Waters, Coomera, Burleigh Heads, Coombabah, Arundel, Nerang and Helensvale.

These populations occur in City of Gold Coast (City) and State managed reserves, large privately owned parcels of rural land, and urban and surrounding areas of the city.

Where to see koalas

The top 6 spots you can go to spot a koala are:

• Coombabah Lakelands Conservation Area

• Discovery Park, Helensvale

• Burleigh Ridge Park, Burleigh Heads

• Eddie Kornhauser Recreational Reserve, Elanora

• Schuster Park, Tallebudgera

• Lower Beechmont Conservation Area, Clagiraba

Koala Habitat

KEY


A threatened species

Both koalas and people like to inhabit the same regions of eastern Australia. The Gold Coast is a prime example of an area where koala and human cohabitation occurs. As urban expansion continues within these areas of cohabitation, koalas face ever-increasing threats to their survival.

Koalas in South East Queensland are considered to be a threatened species. They are listed as vulnerable in both State (Nature Conservation Act 1992) V and Federal (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) legislation V .

On the Gold Coast they are considered to be a City-wide significant (CWS) species CWS .

The Gold Coast is a prime example of an area where koala and human cohabitation occurs.


Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation

Habitat loss is recognised as the top threatening process to koala populations nationwide. Habitat loss can occur through vegetation clearing, habitat fragmentation and degradation.

On the Gold Coast, habitat loss is largely a result of:

• Urban development – development, including construction for housing and installation of infrastructure (e.g. roads), have resulted in a fragmented landscape within the urban footprint. Less connectivity reduces that area of habitat available and increases threats.

• Private property clearing – habitat loss also involves the removal of individual habitat trees on private property, particularly trees identified as preferred koala tree species. The removal of key individual habitat trees and the cumulative effects of gradual loss of key resources can contribute significantly to the decline of our local koala population.

• Bushfire - unplanned bushfire is also a threat to koala habitat and can have a negative effect on the availability and quality of their habitat. Likewise, the long-term absence of fire can reduce the availability of koala habitat, as eucalypt forests and woodlands need fire to allow for the persistent regeneration of Eucalyptus tree species.

• Changes in land use, hydrology regimes, climatic conditions, over–browsing and weed invasion can all reduce the carrying capacity of koala habitat on the Gold Coast.

Example of good koala habitat with diverse structure and species.


Barriers to movement

Koalas need to move through the landscape to access food sources, seek shelter, and to find breeding partners. Juvenile koalas may need to disperse for several kilometres to locate a suitable area to establish their own home range. In urban areas, koala movements often involve venturing into yards that are adjacent to or between patches of bushland habitat.

Urban development creates features such as fences, roads and cleared areas which are barriers to koala movement. The resulting restriction in movement alters population dynamics, impedes gene flow and limits population recovery.

These barriers also cause koalas to come down to the ground more often making them at greater risk from traffic, domestic dogs and disease.

Traffic and vehicle strikes

Vehicle strike is the second highest cause of koala mortality in the city, after disease. Records indicate the majority of koalas hit by vehicles die as a result of their injuries. The City’s koala sightings database in conjunction with Wildcare Australia Inc. and Currumbin Wildlife Hospital records, indicate most koala vehicle strike incidents occur between June and January each year, peaking in August which coincides with the busiest time of the koala breeding season.


Domestic Dogs

Just a single dog bite can seriously injure or kill a koala. In fact, the majority of dog attacks on koalas are ultimately fatal. Signs of a bite may not be visible on a koala from the outside; they may have significant internal damage or develop a life-threatening infection.

Attacks mainly occur between sunset and sunrise when koalas are most active and likely to be moving around on the ground. Attacks occur throughout the year but are more likely to occur during the peak of the koala breeding season. The possibility of an attack increases if two or more dogs are present and the likelihood of fatality increases with the size of the dog.

Most dog attacks on koalas take place inside backyards but the city also has extensive open space areas and walking trails which dog owners share with koalas.

Vertebrate pests - wild dogs, foxes and feral cats

Wild dogs, foxes and feral cats are predators and so pose a significant risk to koalas. Recent studies which undertook DNA testing of saliva on koalas killed through predation have shown that wild dogs are responsible for multiple deaths and pose a significant threat to koalas.

Koala at Currumbin Wildlife Hospital

In a lot of cases it’s not necessarily the tissue damage of the dog bite that kills the koala, it’s the infection caused by the bacteria in the dogs saliva.

Did you know?


Disease

Chlamydial disease has been the major cause of death for koalas on the Gold Coast for many years. Chlamydia is a bacterial pathogen which infects koala populations, causing clinical symptoms such as cystitis, conjunctivitis leading to blindness, respiratory infections, reduced fertility rates and if left untreated, can ultimately lead to death. Chlamydial disease is common and widespread in koalas throughout the city. Sixty-nine percent of koalas admitted to Currumbin Wildlife Hospital with chlamydial disease during 2010-2016 died from their symptoms.

Other diseases which impact on koalas include osteosarcoma and respiratory disease. These chronic diseases are related to koala retrovirus (KoRV). KoRV is believed to play a large role in the vulnerability of koalas to other illnesses and diseases including cancer. Research suggests the majority of Gold Coast koalas are infected with KoRV.

Take action in your backyardThere are simple things you can do to create habitat and help reduce threats to ensure the future of koalas on the Gold Coast.

Protect and restore areas of koala habitat

If you have a large property within a koala habitat area or it adjoins a natural area, then protecting and restoring natural bushland on your property is one of the best actions you can take to help koalas.

Trees and vegetation on private land are protected to preserve the city’s character, amenity, biodiversity, historical and ecological values. If a land owner wishes to remove or damage any protected vegetation on their property, submission of an application may be required.

Did you know?


Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed. It involves activities such as weed control, erosion control, exclusion of grazing animals and management of pest animals. It is the most efficient and practical way of creating high quality habitat for koalas and other animals.

The aim of any restoration activities should be to create habitat that:

• contains species diversity similar to the original ecosystem

• contains local provenance species that are naturally regenerated or locally sourced

• supports the same structure as the original ecosystem and functions with the landscape and

• allows for monitoring and maintenance including ongoing watering, mulching, weeding and protection if needed, but aims to be self-sustaining or low maintenance.

There are well-established practices for restoring natural bushland. There are also a number of services and programs that assist landholders to protect and restore bushland on their properties. See the ‘Want to Know More’ section on page 66 for information and resources.

Example of ecological restoration of koala habitat

BEFORE

AFTER


Plant koala food trees and other habitat trees

If your property is in a koala habitat area and little or no native vegetation remains, koala food and habitat trees can be planted. It should be noted that koala food trees and many habitat trees are very large. It is important to consider their size and location in relation to the size of your property as well as their position in relation to buildings and other structures such as sewer and power lines. Particular care should be taken if you have an urban or small property.

If you are considering planting large numbers of trees, please seek advice from our Conservation Partnerships team (see page 67 for contact details).

Which koala food trees should I grow?

Different species of koala food trees grow in different areas. When selecting the most suitable koala food tree for your property it is useful to understand which occur naturally in your area. This will ensure that any tree you plant grows well and that the best quality koala habitat is created.

Native plants, including eucalypt species, naturally occur within specific vegetation communities. The location of these vegetation communities is determined by local conditions such as soil, landform, aspect and climatic features such as rainfall. In Queensland, local conditions have been classified into land zones. On the Gold Coast there are eight land zones of which six – coastal sands, tidal mud flats, alluvial river flats and plains, metasediment hills and lowlands, granite and basalt ridges and mountain ranges - are most widespread (see pages 38 - 39).

These different land zones provide different growing conditions. For example alluvial river flats and plains have deep, moist, fertile soils whereas soils of the metasediment hills and low lands are typically shallow, low in fertility and dry. These different growing conditions not only determine which species of eucalypt may occur but can also influence koala preferences for individual trees.

Use the maps and information on pages 40 to 49 to identify the species of koala food tree that have historically grown in your area. The influence of land zone on koala preference is also shown. Choose the most preferred koala food trees that grow in your area.


Land zone Landform and Geology Age

1Tidal flats and beaches (subject to tidal inundation) Water logged, saline muds, clays and sands

Youngest

Oldest

2Coastal sands (not subject to tidal inundation)Sand

3Flood plains, river and creek flatsAlluvial soils (soils moved or shaped by water)

5Level or gently undulating plainsSandy or loamy soils

8Mountain ranges, hills, lowlands and coastal headlandsBasalt (volcanic) rocks

9-10UndulatingSedimentary rocks

11Mountain ranges, hills and lowlandsMetasediment rocks*

12Mountain ranges, hills, lowlands and coastal headlandsGranite (volcanic ) rocks

*The most common underlying geology on the Gold Coast is metasediment rocks. They are a type of metamorphic rock (rock transformed by heat and pressure). Originally they were sedimentary rocks which were formed on the ocean floor through the deposition and solidification of sediment. These sedimentary rocks were subsequently buried underneath other rocks and subjected to high pressures and temperatures, causing the rock to recrystallize. This recrystallization process is known as metamorphosis, hence the term metamorphic rocks. About 300 million years ago these metamorphic rocks were pushed upward by geologic processes (e.g. earthquakes), creating much of the ranges, hills and lowlands on the Gold Coast.

Common Landforms and Geology of the Gold Coast


E. microcorys is considered to be the most preferred species of koala food tree on the Gold Coast. It occurs widely in many eucalypt and wet eucalypt vegetation communities predominantly on metasediment hills and lowlands, and basalt hills and ridges. It is a most preferred food tree regardless of the landform on which it grows.

TALLOWWOOD (Eucalyptus microcorys)

3 - ALLUVIALMost preferred

8 - BASALTMost preferred

11 - METASEDIMENTMost preferred

KEY

Areas where Eucalyptus microcorys grows


E. robusta typically occurs in low numbers and is mostly restricted to vegetation communities which grow on old coastal sand dunes, coastal alluvial flood plains and alluvial areas adjacent to some major waterways. It may also occur on the very small areas of sedimentary sandstone in Alberton (land zone 9-10). It is most preferred by koalas when it occurs on alluvial soils and sedimentary sandstone.

SWAMP MAHOGANY (Eucalyptus robusta)

2 - SAND DUNESPreferred


9–10 - SEDIMENTARYMost preferred

KEY

Areas where Eucalyptus robusta grows


E. tereticornis is one of the most common types of eucalypt on the Gold Coast. It grows in many vegetation communities which occur on metasediments and also on alluvial river flats and floodplains. It occurs less frequently on basalt areas of the hinterland. Isolated trees even grow on the fringes of some tidal wetland areas. It’s most preferred as a koala food tree when it is growing on metasediments, alluvial soils and tidal flats.

FOREST RED GUM (Eucalyptus tereticornis)

1 - TIDAL FLATSMost preferred


KEY

8 - BASALTPreferred

11 - METASEDIMENTMost preferred

Areas where Eucalyptus tereticornis grows


E. propinqua is a common type of eucalypt on the Gold Coast. It grows in many eucalypt and wet eucalypt vegetation communities which occur on metasediment hills and lowlands. It also occurs in riverine vegetation communities which occur on alluvial areas adjacent to some major waterways. It is most preferred by koalas when it is growing on alluvial and basalt land zones.

SMALL-FRUITED GREY GUM (Eucalyptus propinqua)

Areas where Eucalyptus propinqua grows

KEY


11 - METASEDIMENTP referred



E. biturbinata is not common on the Gold Coast. It may occur in small numbers in moist and wet eucalypt forests on basalt land zones in the hinterland. Where it does occur it is most preferred by koalas.

GREY GUM (Eucalyptus biturbinata)

KEY

Areas where Eucalyptus biturbinata grows



Help them move safely Fencing can make a big difference to koalas being able to move safely and disperse through backyards and residential areas. Some fence designs can help them to get to where they need to go. Other designs can trap them and leave them vulnerable to attack by domestic dogs, as well as restricting access to important food and shelter trees.

Use different types of fencing to:

• help koalas move easily through areas where they will be safe – koala-friendly fencing or

• keep them away from danger – koala-exclusion fencing.

Make sure you discuss any plans to modify your fence with your neighbour before carrying out any works. Using koala friendly fencing will greatly increase the chances of you spotting a koala in your neighbourhood. Fencing which allows koalas into your backyard is not recommended if your dog is unrestrained at night.

Fences made from materials that koalas can easily grip and climb, such as round timber posts or chain wire mesh.

Koala-friendly fencing

You can help koalas to move easily through safe areas in your backyard by installing or retrofitting your fence with koala movement fencing.

Constructing a new fence

Fence designs which facilitate koala movement include:


Fences with flat boards at the top, to allow koalas to walk along it without needing to come to the ground.

Fences with gaps (at least 300mm) under or through the fence to allow koalas to climb through or under the fence.

Retrofiting an existing fence

Existing fences can also be retrofitted to assist koala movement.

Plant or retain trees or sturdy shrubs near the fence line as a climbing aid.


Fix a timber post on each side of the fence to allow koalas to climb up, over and down the fence. Make sure the post measures a minimum of 125mm in diameter and extend up to 20cm above the fence.

Koala exclusion fencing

Sometimes the best option is a fence that excludes koalas from entering an area or even a whole yard. Use exclusion fencing to keep koalas out of areas where there are hazards such as pets, pools and roads.

It is essential that the exclusion features are only applied to the outside of the fence, ensuring a koala could easily climb out of the fenced area just in case it managed to find a way inside.

It is also vital to ensure the fence is at least 3m away from trees or sturdy shrubs from which a koala could jump to the fence top. Existing trees can be shielded from koala access by applying a smooth metal tree guard.

Construct a new fence

Koala exclusion fences can be constructed using metal sheeting (such as smooth Colorbond steel) or rendered brick surfaces that do not provide grip for a koala to climb.


Retrofit an existing fence

A strip of Colorbond or Perspex sheeting can be added to the top section of an existing fence to prevent a koala from climbing that side. The sheeting should be at least 900mm wide with the top edge of the sheeting at least 1.5m above ground level.

Be a responsible pet owner

At home

In urban areas, koalas often venture into yards especially if they are adjacent to or between patches of bushland habitat. Most dog attacks on koalas take place inside backyards. If you own a dog and live in a koala habitat area you can greatly reduce the risk of dog attacks on koalas with just a few simple actions.

Install koala exclusion fencing to keep koalas out of areas where dogs are present. Don’t forget to provide a way for koalas to easily climb out of the fenced area just in case they manage to find a way inside.

Keep your dog safely contained. As koalas are most active between dusk and dawn, ensure your dog does not have free access to roam your backyard during these times. You can do this by keeping your dog/s:

• In an enclosure or dog run during the night

• Indoors at night or confined on a veranda or garage area

• On a long lead if it’s comfortable doing so


Away from your home

The need for responsible dog ownership extends outside of the backyard. Dogs are restricted from certain areas of the city, such as conservation reserves but there are over 120 dog exercise areas, almost half of which are located in koala habitat areas where effective dog control is paramount.

The City’s conservation parks provide a much-needed refuge for native plants and animals including koalas and are vitally important to the survival of many threatened species. To help protect and preserve these areas all conservation areas and some parks are dog prohibited. Go to our website to view the list and maps of dog prohibited areas.

Know where you can take your dog, look out for signs and follow the rules. To find an off leash area near you visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/dogparks. Allowing dogs in environmentally sensitive areas not only increase the chance of a koala being attacked, but their urine and faeces can attract pest animals. Fines are in place for those who disregard the regulations.

It is an offence to allow your dog off leash in a public place other than in designated off leash areas. This includes all paths leading up to off leash areas. In off leash areas, keep your dog under effective control. This means ensuring your dog returns to you when called and remains in your immediate vicinity.

In some suburbs, koalas commonly use habitat trees within dog exercise areas. If you see a koala on the ground in these areas, please place your dog on a leash until the koala climbs back up to safety. Don’t assume your dog won’t attack; when approached by an unfamiliar animal a dog may feel threatened and might react in an unexpected manner.

Help reduce the impact of pets on native wildlife by reporting wandering or lost animals to Animal Management on 5667 5990.

What to do if your dog injures a koala

• Immediately remove your dog from the area.

• Do not touch the koala.

• If possible, place a bin or box over the koala and place a weight on top. This will contain the koala and help to keep it calm.

• Call Wildcare Australia Inc. on 07 5527 2444 (24 hours).


Take care drivingTake extra care when driving on roads, particularly at night. Take note of road signs indicating areas where koalas are present or regularly cross. By being aware of potential koala habitat areas and taking heed of road signs, wildlife road kill and injury can be reduced.

Report and help manage vertebrate pestsThe City is committed to protecting koalas and other native species by managing vertebrate pest impacts across 13,000 hectares of natural areas.

You can also help to reduce predation by wild dogs, foxes and feral cats and help protect koalas and other native animals by:

• Learning how to identify the presence of wild dogs, foxes and cats on your property through sand plots and trail cameras.

• Joining with neighbours to participate in coordinated vertebrate pest management programs.

• Reporting vertebrate pest sightings and impacts such as dead and injured wildlife to the City of Gold Coast via our report a problem web page.

That under the Biosecurity Act 2014, residents of the Gold Coast have an obligation to reduce biosecurity risks under their control. Wild dogs, foxes and feral cats are considered to be biosecurity risks.

Did you know?


Report SightingsHelp to monitor the effectiveness of conservation strategies and assist with future conservation planning for koalas living in the city.

Report all koala sightings (whether healthy, injured, sick or deceased) to City of Gold Coast on 1300 GOLDCOAST (1300 465 326), or by submitting a koala sighting online on the City’s help save koalas webpage.

How do I know if a koala is sick?

If you see a koala, take a moment to assess their health and wellbeing. If a koala displays any of the symptoms or behaviours detailed below, call Wildcare Australia Inc. immediately on 07 5527 2444. Wildcare Australia Inc. is an organisation solely operated by volunteers who rescue and care for sick, injured, orphaned or otherwise distressed wildlife.

Unmoving on the ground

While it’s common for koalas to move, sit and sleep on the ground, prolonged periods where koalas are unmoving should be reported.

Prolonged time in same tree

If a koala hasn’t moved from the same tree for 48 hours or more it could be unwell and should be reported to Wildcare Australia Inc.


Stained rump

A wet or dirty, reddish stained rump is a sign that the koala may be suffering from Chlamydia.

Conjunctivitis

Signs of Conjunctivitis including red, swollen or weepy eyes are common symptoms of Chlamydia.

Poor coat or wounded

Brown matted, patchy or missing fur, blood patches and bite wounds are common signs of illness and injury. Koalas often suffer internal injuries or infections that are far worse than exterior wounds suggest.

In a hazardous situation

Koalas regularly cross major roads and rail lines which increases the risk of fatal vehicle strikes. Yards without koala-friendly fencing can trap them; those with pools or pets can cause life-threatening injuries.


Want to know more?

Bushland restoration

More information about how to undertake ecological restoration on your property can be found on the City of Gold Coast website by searching for the following:

• South East Queensland Restoration Framework: Details a framework for undertaking ecological restoration and includes a manual which provides a technical, but easy to use, guide to all aspects of ecological restoration.

• Environmental Weeds and Invasive Plants: Information about identifying and managing environmental weeds.

• Ecological Restoration Techniques: Suite of videos demonstrating best practice weed management and other restoration techniques.

Go to our ‘bushland restoration’ page on the City of Gold Coast website to learn about how the ecological restoration is being undertaken within our parks and reserves.

Landholder programs

Land for Wildlife

A voluntary, non-binding scheme that provides advice and support to landholders wanting to restore and conserve their property’s natural habitat for native plants and animals, including koalas. If you have one or more hectares of bushland (or cleared area you’d like to restore to bushland) on your property, you may be eligible to join.

Voluntary Conservation Agreements

Landholders of large rural blocks wanting to protect their property’s ecological values, including koala habitat, in perpetuity may be eligible to enter into a Voluntary Conservation Agreement with the City. In return, landholders receive ongoing financial support and technical assistance.

Bushland Health Checks

If you don’t qualify for the above programs or don’t want to be involved in an ongoing scheme but would like advice on how to manage your property’s natural habitat, please contact us for a free one-off Bushland Health Check. A Conservation Partnerships Officer will provide you with relevant property maps and vegetation lists, accompany you on a short walk around your property, help you better understand your bushland and answer any questions you have about vegetation and wildlife.

More information can be found by searching for landholder partnerships on the City of Gold Coast website or contacting the Conservation Partnerships team on 5582 8896.


Local native plants

Purchasing plants that are local provenance is an important contribution you can make to the environment. Local provenance means that the plant is grown from local, naturally occurring specimens.

Planting these, rather than plants sourced from far afield, preserves the local genepool of that species. It also supports local native plant nurseries, which play a vital role in contributing to the greening of the city and supporting the local economy.

Where to buy local native plants

Use the GroNative App to find nurseries in South East Queensland who stock plants listed in the app.

Search for suppliers and native plant sale events online:

• Native Plants Queensland has autumn and spring plant sales which are a great way to buy interesting and hard to find native plants. Nurseries are listed on their website.

• The Australian Native Plants Society website provides a list of native plant nurseries.

• Gardening events and shows are held regularly on the Gold Coast and across south east Queensland.

• There are a number of online plant suppliers which you can find by searching for plants by species names.

Visit the Friends of the Gardens nursery at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens. The nursery stocks a wide range of local native plants and is open from 8 – 11am on the first Friday of each month.

Friends of the Gardens nursery


Opportunities to learn more and get involved

Koala Friends

The City of Gold Coast, in partnership with Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Wildcare Australia Inc., has developed a Koala Friends Program. The program forms a component of the city-wide Koala Conservation Plan and helps inform and empower residents to take action, whether big or small, to ensure the long-term survival of the koala population across the city. Membership of the Koala Friends Program is free. Members are kept up-to-date with information on what is happening in the local koala population, receive invitations to local koala community events and can opt to receive an information pack about koalas and koala conservation.

NaturallyGC

A variety of free and low cost nature based workshops, activities and events are available across the Gold Coast including koala tree planting days – check out the City of Gold Coast Website for further information.

Beaches to Bushland Landcare Program

Help care for and restore koala habitat within our City managed conservation areas by becoming a bushcare volunteer and helping to control weeds and plant koala food and habitat trees.

Books and resources available from City Libraries

In addition to the many children’s books , the following book about koalas is available:

• Koala : a historical biography. 2008, Ann Moyal, CSIRO Publishing


Digital and Websites

SEARCH FOR:

• City of Gold Coast Koala Conservation Plan: Outlines planned actions to mitigate key threats to koalas across the city.

• City of Gold Coast environmental volunteer: details opportunities to volunteer on environmental projects on the Gold Coast

• Wildcare Australia Inc.: Organisation solely operated by volunteers who rescue and care for sick, injured, orphaned or otherwise distressed wildlife.

• Our Natural City Strategy: City of Gold Coast strategy which focuses on connecting people with nature, protecting places for nature and partnering with the community to secure and enhance our natural assets.

• Currumbin Wildlife Hospital

• Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors

References

Content for this booklet was prepared by City of Gold Coast. Key references:

• Gold Coast Flora and Fauna Database http://www.goldcoastflorafauna.com.au• Living with wildlife: Koalas and dogs. 2012. Queensland Department of Environment and

Heritage Protection. Queensland Government, Brisbane• City-Wide Koala Monitoring: Habitat Mapping and Monitoring Program for Gold Coast

City LGA. Report prepared for City of Gold Coast, 2019. Biolink.• Koala Conservation Plan. 2017, City of Gold Coast• Aspects of the epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci infection in a population of koalas

(Phascolarctos cinereus) in southeastern Queensland, Australia. 1988. Weigler, B.J., Girjes, A.A., White, N.A., Kunst, N.D., Carrick, F.N. and Lavin, M.F. Journal Of Wildlife Diseases 24 pgs 282-291.

• CSI koala – DNA breakthrough identifies killer wild dogs – Media Statements, Minister for Agriculture Industry Development and Fisheries, The Honourable Mark Furner, Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Photo CreditsKoala photosUNLESS OTHERWISE DETAILED BELOW KOALA PHOTOS ARE BY CITY OF GOLD COAST

Many koala photos have been provided by our residents as part of our koala reporting program. The photographer is indicated where known. Some were provided anonymously. Thank you to everyone who has ever submitted a koala photo.

Cover Jo Green

Page 17Jo Green

Page 19 Mother and joey – Anonymous

Page 25 Koala and human habitat – Anonymous

Page 28 Koala on ground – Anonymous

Page 37 Koala on chain wire fence – Carrie Higgins

Page 38 Koala on timber fence – K. Townsend, Koala on timber rail – Anonymous

Page 62 Unmoving on the ground, R. Rivard

Page 63 Stained rump, patchy or wounded, hazardous situation, Anonymous

Page 71 Male koala with ear tag, Robyn Shorrock___________________

Plant Photos UNLESS OTHERWISE DETAILED BELOW PLANT PHOTOS ARE BY GLENN LIEPER

Page 8E. microcorys flowers – City of Gold Coast

Page 9E. robusta flowers, E propinqua fruit – City of Gold Coast

Page 10 E. siderophloia flowers and leaves – City of Gold Coast, E. siderophloia leaves

and flowers – Jason Searle

Page 11E. resinifera and E. carnea fuits – City of Gold Coast

Page 12 C. citriodora fruits – City of Gold Coast, E.seeana buds – Terra Ark

Page 40 E. microcorys flowers and fruit – City of Gold Coast

Page 41 All – City of Gold Coast

Page 44E tereticornis fruit – City of Gold Coast

Page 46 E. propinqua leaves and fruit – City of Gold Coast

Page 50 E.microcorys canopy – Terra Ark

Page 56 E. propinqua canopy – Terra Ark

Page 68 Nursery Plants – Friends of the Gardens

Published August 2020

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Koalas

P 1300 GOLDCOAST (1300 465 326) W cityofgoldcoast.com.au

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