Save Our Koalas: Lawnton’s Core Koala Habitat Under Threat!

Save Our Koalas: Lawnton’s Core Koala Habitat Under Threat!

The issue

The very future of Lawnton’s koala population hangs in the balance. A crucial 3.372-hectare area bordering the Lawnton Koala Reserve, known to be a haven for koalas and other native wildlife for decades, has been advertised for sale as “Proposed Lot 101: Prime Infill Development Opportunity”.

This land is not just any vacant lot; it’s designated as core koala habitat under the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Conservation Strategy. These core areas represent the best quality habitat for koalas, and are vital for their survival.

Despite the protections provided by the Strategy, loopholes in these regulations exist, potentially allowing for the complete destruction of this critical koala habitat. We cannot stand by and let this happen.

This is a stark reminder of the ongoing decline of koala populations in Queensland:

·      According to the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), there was a 37% decline in koala populations in just three years, from 2018–2021. 

·      Koalas were listed as ‘endangered’ under Federal law in February 2022. 

·      The AKF believes this status should be upgraded to ‘critically endangered’ in the South East Queensland Bioregion. 

·      The AKF estimates that just 200 to 400 koalas remain in Lawnton’s electorate of Dickson (724km2).

·      Local residents have experienced regular sightings of koalas on Proposed Lot 101 and the neighbouring Lawnton Koala Reserve.

Four years ago, University of Queensland veteran ecologist John Callaghan was quoted in ABC News as saying that “it will take a bold government to implement the reforms needed to prevent south-east Queensland’s koala population from extinction […] We can’t just allow our future development process to continue because if we do, we won’t have koalas perhaps within our generation.”

We implore the Queensland Government and Moreton Bay City Council to take a decisive stand. We urge them to:

  1. Unequivocally UPHOLD THEIR COMMITMENT to strengthening koala habitat protection regulations by “fine tuning existing policy settings”, as promised on 18th May 2024. This means entirely prohibiting the use of exemptions that could permit the clearing of this core habitat.
  2. CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES that developers could exploit for future development on core koala habitat. We must ensure these precious havens are permanently safeguarded.
  3. PRIORITISE these 3.372 hectares of koala habitat that link to Lawnton’s Koala Reserve under the City of Moreton Bay Land Buyback for Environmental Purposes program.

The fate of Lawnton’s koalas rests in our hands. By signing this petition, you are sending a powerful message: 

We cannot stand by and allow the destruction of more koala habitat! 

Together, we can secure a future for these iconic animals and the vital role they play in our ecosystem.

 

Please, act now. Sign this petition and stand with us in protecting Lawnton’s koalas!

 

Further Information:

avatar of the starter
Jo MurrayPetition starter
Media enquiries
This petition had 6,628 supporters

The issue

The very future of Lawnton’s koala population hangs in the balance. A crucial 3.372-hectare area bordering the Lawnton Koala Reserve, known to be a haven for koalas and other native wildlife for decades, has been advertised for sale as “Proposed Lot 101: Prime Infill Development Opportunity”.

This land is not just any vacant lot; it’s designated as core koala habitat under the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Conservation Strategy. These core areas represent the best quality habitat for koalas, and are vital for their survival.

Despite the protections provided by the Strategy, loopholes in these regulations exist, potentially allowing for the complete destruction of this critical koala habitat. We cannot stand by and let this happen.

This is a stark reminder of the ongoing decline of koala populations in Queensland:

·      According to the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF), there was a 37% decline in koala populations in just three years, from 2018–2021. 

·      Koalas were listed as ‘endangered’ under Federal law in February 2022. 

·      The AKF believes this status should be upgraded to ‘critically endangered’ in the South East Queensland Bioregion. 

·      The AKF estimates that just 200 to 400 koalas remain in Lawnton’s electorate of Dickson (724km2).

·      Local residents have experienced regular sightings of koalas on Proposed Lot 101 and the neighbouring Lawnton Koala Reserve.

Four years ago, University of Queensland veteran ecologist John Callaghan was quoted in ABC News as saying that “it will take a bold government to implement the reforms needed to prevent south-east Queensland’s koala population from extinction […] We can’t just allow our future development process to continue because if we do, we won’t have koalas perhaps within our generation.”

We implore the Queensland Government and Moreton Bay City Council to take a decisive stand. We urge them to:

  1. Unequivocally UPHOLD THEIR COMMITMENT to strengthening koala habitat protection regulations by “fine tuning existing policy settings”, as promised on 18th May 2024. This means entirely prohibiting the use of exemptions that could permit the clearing of this core habitat.
  2. CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES that developers could exploit for future development on core koala habitat. We must ensure these precious havens are permanently safeguarded.
  3. PRIORITISE these 3.372 hectares of koala habitat that link to Lawnton’s Koala Reserve under the City of Moreton Bay Land Buyback for Environmental Purposes program.

The fate of Lawnton’s koalas rests in our hands. By signing this petition, you are sending a powerful message: 

We cannot stand by and allow the destruction of more koala habitat! 

Together, we can secure a future for these iconic animals and the vital role they play in our ecosystem.

 

Please, act now. Sign this petition and stand with us in protecting Lawnton’s koalas!

 

Further Information:

avatar of the starter
Jo MurrayPetition starter
Media enquiries

The Decision Makers

Shane King, MP
Shane King, MP
State Member for Kurwongbah
Cameron Dick, MP
Cameron Dick, MP
Treasurer of Queensland
Moreton Bay City Council
Moreton Bay City Council
Peter Flannery
Peter Flannery
Lord Mayor of Moreton Bay City
Jim Maloney
Jim Maloney
Division 8 Councillor

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Petition created on 11 July 2024