A parliamentary inquiry on the NSW koala population
On 20 June 2019 a parliamentary inquiry has launched to investigate koala numbers and the loss of their habitat in NSW.
Image source: Joey Graham
This inquiry has been established to investigate and report on koala populations and habitat loss in NSW. Koalas cannot be saved unless we ensure their remaining habitat is protected and restored, but right now the opposite is occurring. In NSW areas of core koala habitat called ‘koala hubs’ have been mapped by the Office of Environment and Heritage but are still being cleared for logging and the pace of the destruction is increasing.
It is no joke that habitat loss is the number one threat to koalas. Every day 23 football fields of koala habitat is bulldozed in NSW [1].
Under the Berejiklian government rates of deforestation has tripled.
To add fire to the flame, in November 2017 Premier Berejiklian relaxed land-clearing laws a bushland bigger Australian Capital Territory has been approved for bulldozing.
Koalas are being forced spend more time on the ground searching for trees, where they are more susceptible to car strikes, dog attacks and stress-induced diseases.
This inquiry could be the turning point that pushes the government to take action and protect koala habitat from bulldozers and chainsaws.
We need the government to stop this destruction and save koala habitats.
References:
[1] Nature Conservation Council NSW and WWF-Australia, 2018. Bulldozing of bushlands nearly triples around Moree and Collarenebri after safeguards are repealed in NSW. PDF Online; Nature Conservation Council NSW and WWF-Australia, 2018. NSW Government deforestation data analysis, three case studies 2016-2018. PDF Online.
Tags
Forests and wildlife
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