As part of Save the Koala month, Seqwater is planting more than 2,500 koala fodder trees near North Pine Dam.
Koalas are a threatened species in the south-east Queensland bio-region. In March 2004, the koala was included in the vulnerable species category of the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 1994 because of a significant decline in the numbers of animals in the wild.
Seqwater Catchment Manager, Dr Adrian Volders, said Seqwater was committed to the conservation of koalas in south-east Queensland.
“As a major landholder within the region and owner of significant areas of koala habitat, we play a key role in koala conservation,” Dr Volders said.
“The high mortality rate of koalas is often associated with habitat loss. We strive to provide secure habitats for koalas by enhancing existing koala habitat and planting dedicated fodder plantations. In addition to planting more koala fodder trees at North Pine Dam, we have established fodder plantations around the majority of our dams. For example, at Leslie Harris Dam, Capalaba we have seven dedicated plots containing over 900 useable koala fodder trees.
“We have already invested heavily in the preservation and management of koala habitat protection and enhancement in the Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine areas through the D’Aguilar Range Biodiversity Corridors project. We have revegetated large areas with native species to aid koala movement.
“Importantly, we have partnerships in place with wildlife carers such as the Daisy Hill Koala Centre and Moggill Koala Hospital and other local koala groups to harvest eucalyptus foliage on our land for fostered injured koalas and to provide suitable rehabilitation release sites.
“In addition, our Rangers undertake wild dog baiting several times a year to reduce the number of dog attacks on koalas in our catchment areas.”
Seqwater also undertakes a variety of other activities to help protect koala habitat. This includes:
- Creating enhanced and linked wildlife corridors to aid koala movement
- Managing the impact of wild dogs, red deer and feral pigs
- Supporting the Redland City Council’s Fox Control program
- Enhancing existing koala habitat by undertaking regular weed control for the natural re-generation of native plants
- Undertaking regular firebreak maintenance to control the risk of bushfires
- Introducing fauna friendly fencing on Seqwater land
“Whilst Seqwater is responsible for the catchment, storage and treatment of water across the region, we believe minimising the loss and degradation of koala habitat is vital not only for our koalas and future koala colonies, but also for helping to protect and improve our water quality,” Dr Volders said.
Media contact:
Mike Foster, Principle Advisor, External Relations
m: 0425 250 394 | ph: 07 3035 5545 | e: mfoster@seqwater.com.au
Background
For more information on Save the Koala Month (September,) visit http://www.savethekoala.com/
The koala is a strictly leaf feeder, using a large number of eucalypts as well as other species. Koalas have strong regional preferences for certain eucalypt species.
Seqwater regularly plants the following tree - Forest red gum or Queensland blue gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) for koala fodder:
This is one of the most important food trees in Queensland. Growing 20 to 40 metres tall, this species is found throughout the coastal area, mainly on alluvial flats or other fertile soils on hill slopes and mountains. The smooth bark is shed in irregular places with white, grew and bluish patches. Flowers are usually white but can be pink.