A coalition of Southern Queensland environmental and community organisations is calling on the Queensland Government to urgently expand koala conservation efforts beyond South East Queensland (SEQ), warning that without immediate action, regional koala populations face increasing risk of decline and local extinction.
The submission, representing stakeholders across the Southern Downs, Toowoomba, Burnett regions, Gympie, and Fraser Coast, has been lodged in response to the State Government’s consultation on a new SEQ Koala Conservation Strategy.
While welcoming renewed attention on koala conservation, the group says the current strategy fails to address the reality that significant koala populations exist outside SEQ and are critical to the species’ long-term survival across Queensland.
“Koalas are now listed as endangered across the entire state, yet protections and funding remain heavily concentrated within SEQ. Regional Queensland is carrying the burden of conservation with little government support,” said Ahri Tallon from the Darling Downs Environment Council.
Media Opportunity: Koala Corridor Planting Event
To highlight both the urgency of the issue and the strength of community-led solutions, media are invited to attend a koala habitat restoration event:
Koala Corridor Planting – Media Event by Darling Downs Environment Council
Date: Tuesday, April 28
Time: 8:30am
Location: Linthorpe (address provided on request)
This on-ground action will bring together the Darling Downs Environment Council, Pittsworth Landcare, and Millmerran Landcare, with sponsorship support from Stroud Builders.
The planting will contribute to the establishment of a critical koala movement corridor in the Toowoomba region, demonstrating the type of practical, community-driven conservation work that is occurring across regional Queensland—often with limited funding and support.
Media will have the opportunity to capture visuals of tree planting, group photos with a banner, interview local conservation leaders, and speak with volunteers directly involved in protecting koala habitat.
Key Concerns
The submission highlights several urgent issues:
- Policy gaps: Existing protections largely stop at the SEQ boundary, despite clear evidence of viable koala populations in surrounding regions.
- Habitat loss and fragmentation: Land clearing, development pressures, and outdated mapping frameworks are accelerating habitat decline.
- Volunteer burden: Wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation efforts are overwhelmingly delivered by unpaid volunteers without sustainable funding.
- Missed opportunities: Extensive regional data, citizen science, and on-ground expertise are not being adequately integrated into state policy.
Four key Recommendations
The coalition is calling for immediate action through four priority measures:
- Develop a state-wide koala conservation framework
Including regionally tailored strategies co-designed with local stakeholders and informed by existing data. - Extend stronger habitat protections beyond SEQ
Particularly across Southern Downs, Darling Downs, Burnett, Gympie, and Fraser Coast regions. - Provide dedicated regional conservation funding
Ensuring parity with SEQ investment and supporting on-ground threat mitigation. - Fund wildlife rescue and care networks
Delivering stable, long-term support for frontline responders who are essential to koala survival.
Regional Evidence is Clear
The submission draws on extensive local data and research showing:
- Persistent koala populations across all regions studied
- Increasing threats from vehicle strikes, dog attacks, disease, and habitat fragmentation
- Genetically distinct and regionally significant populations that contribute to overall species resilience
- Successful community-led conservation initiatives already underway, despite limited resources
A Call for State Leadership
The coalition emphasises that regional Queensland represents both a conservation risk and an opportunity.
“We have the data, the community commitment, and the on-ground expertise,” the group said.
“What’s missing is coordinated State Government leadership, investment, and policy support.”
The group is also calling for a state-wide koala conservation summit by the end of 2026, bringing together government, scientists, and regional stakeholders to co-design long-term solutions.
Closing Statement
“All koala populations matter. Protecting only SEQ populations is no longer enough,” the group said.
“If Queensland is serious about saving koalas, conservation must extend beyond boundaries and match the scale of the challenge.”
Submission Co-Signatory Organisations
Fraser Coast Region
- Wildlife Queensland Fraser Coast
- Friends of Vernon Conservation Park
- Booral Community Association
Gympie Region
- Anarra Wildlife Rescue
- The Greater Mary Association
- Burnett Mary Regional Group
- Wide Bay Burnett Environmental Council
- Tiaro Landcare
- Glenwood Wildlife Awareness
- Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee
- Gympie Region Environment Advocacy Team
- Koala Action Gympie Region
- Australian Native Animals Rescue and Rehabilitation Association
- Gympie & District Landcare Group
- Cooloola Coastcare
- Gympie & District Field Naturalists
Burnett Region
- Burnett Catchment Care Association
- Monto Landcare
- Thrive Ecological
- South Burnett Sustainable Future Network Inc
- Aussie Native Rescue
Toowoomba Region
- Koala, Land and Wildlife Support Inc (KLAWS – Geham)
- High Country Koala Action Group (Crows Nest)
- Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation and Education Association Inc (Murphys Creek)
- Toowoomba Wilderness Society
- Friends of Escarpment Parks (Toowoomba)
- Toowoomba Bushwalkers Club
- Darling Downs & SWQ Root & Shoots 18
- Darling Downs Environment Council (Toowoomba)
- Toowoomba Region Koala Count (Regional)
- Save Mt Lofty Inc (Toowoomba)
- Pittsworth Landcare
- Millmerran Landcare
- Gomaren & Doctors Creek Landcare (Goombungee)
- Clifton Landcare
Southern Downs Region
- Granite Belt Wildlife Carers (Stanthorpe)
- Allora Landcare Association Inc
- Wildlife Empire Sanctuary (Inglewood)
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