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