Projects aim to protect Port Stephens koala population into the future

Port Stephens Council, under a three-year Federal grant, has delivered multiple projects to develop proactive koala conservation initiatives.

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Mayor Leah Anderson said these projects are essential and will help advance our understanding of koala populations in Port Stephens. 

“Our local koala populations are integral to Port Stephens’ identity, economy and environment,” Mayor Anderson said. 

“From identifying what trees are important to koalas, to vegetation and landscape mapping showing where these important trees grow, these projects will help us work towards the long-term survival of koalas,” she added. 

In 2023, Council was awarded over $160,000 under the Federal Government’s Koala Community Grants Round 1, focusing on collaboration between researchers and land managers to deliver outcomes for koalas. Council’s Environmental Strategy Team Leader Kimberly Baker emphasised the significance of grant funding in ensuring that key protection projects can be explored and completed. 

“Science-based decision making is crucial for managing endangered species such as koalas. This funding enabled us to access advancements in scientific technology to determine what koalas in our region are feeding on and where, ultimately enabling us to identify and map the most important habitats for koalas in the region,” Ms Baker said. 

Some of the koala protection projects undertaken as part of this funding include:

• Development of the first genetically-backed koala feed tree list for Port Stephens, based on the dietary content of koalas.

• Contribution toward the development of the first fine-scale vegetation map for Port Stephens, showing where koala trees grow.

• Confirmation of a successful methodology for collecting high quality koala scat using a combination of thermal drones and detection dogs.

• The first strategic koala habitat restoration priority map for Port Stephens.

• Significant collaboration and knowledge sharing with Traditional Owners to improve kinship and koala habitat condition, alongside promotion of Indigenous-led caring for Country activities.

“These projects couldn’t be delivered without significant collaboration with our local community groups and organisations,” Ms Baker said.

“The Port Stephens Koala Hospital, University of Newcastle, Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, Hunter Water and the NSW Department of Energy, Environment, Climate Change and Water all worked with Council to ensure these projects were delivered.”

Council has also recently installed 40 koala warning signs that fold down during breeding season when koala activity is high to alert motorists.

“These signs have been installed in areas of known high koala activity and high risk, where koala warning signage wasn’t already installed,” Ms Baker said.

The signs include the phone number for the Port Stephens Koala Hospital (1800 775 625) for motorists to report any injured koalas.

For more information about Council’s koala protection projects visit pscouncil.info/koala-projects