QLD:Qld koala plan fails to impress advocates

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2011
QLD:Qld koala plan fails to impress advocates

By Lisa Machin

BRISBANE, Dec 13 AAP - Tens of thousands of trees planted to save southeast Queensland's
dying koalas will save fewer than five animals, a lobbyist says.

Environment Minister Vicki Darling this week planted the last of 30,000 trees on a
property at Daisy Hill, south of Brisbane.

It was part of a $48 million, six-year plan to purchase eight parcels of protected
land around the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay regions to save the critically endangered
animal.

Australian Koala Foundation president Deborah Tabart told AAP the 379 hectares purchased
would support approximately three to five koalas if well vegetated.

"It is really a drop in the ocean," Ms Tabart said.

"I would be much happier for her to say I have saved 30,000 hectares for koalas."

Ms Tabart said the saplings would take five years to reach a maturity suitable for koalas.

Koala numbers in the state's southeast corner have plummeted almost 60 per cent in
the past three years.

"It's time for the average Australian to realise this is just a bandaid," Ms Tabart said.

"Those areas are where the Urban Land Development Authority have cut down a lot of trees."

The koala has not been added to the list of fauna protected under the federal Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act despite lobbying from the Australian Greens
and environmental groups.

Koalas are considered critically endangered in southeast Queensland, which is one step
away from extinct.

Ms Darling was approached for comment.

AAP student/gd/mjs

KEYWORD: KOALAS

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