Good Morning Fellow Toowoomba Region Koala Observers
Welcome to our December 2025 Newsletter to thank everyone for their involvement in this year’s Koala Count and to announce our RECORD 314 OBSERVATIONS for the month of November 2025 across the Toowoomba Region.
Over the last 5 years, we have managed to steadily increase our number of observations from 56 in 2021, to 189 in 2022, to 220 in 2023, to 230 in 2024.
Our 2025 record is, in no small part, due to the efforts of Deb Hansen & Kylie Somerset and their KLAWS team who recorded 171 observations for the month of November. Honourable mentions to Sandy McKay, Jan Clewett and Lana Bradshaw who picked up the minor medals this year.
As we all know, this steady increase in observation numbers is due to the enthusiasm and persistence of our valued observer volunteers rather than any actual proven change in the fate of our koalas across our Region. This year it has been, however, heartening to talk with many local landholders, community members and school students keen to help promote our koalas and their habitats.
This year we were again fortunate to have the support of Koala, Land and Wildlife Support (KLAWS), Pittsworth Landcare and High Country Koala Action Group and welcomed Gomaren & Doctors Creek Catchment Landcare to run dedicated Count Days at Crows Nest, Pittsworth and Goombungee.
SCHOOLS AND MEDIA
In 2025, we were also pleased to engage with local state primary schools to roll out our curriculum based school lessons to Grade 4 classes across the Region.
Thanks to Pascale Egan who supported our visit to Toowoomba East State School in early November – over 120 Grade 4 students were absolutely over the moon to work on our koala anatomy and habitat worksheets.
Thanks must also go to Kemii Maguire from ABC Southern Queensland Local Radio who produced a wonderful 14 minute long form interview with Lana Bradshaw from Pittsworth Landcare for this year’s Koala Count.
TOOWOOMBA WILDERNESS SOCIETY (TWS) KOALA FOOD TREE FOREST
TWS’s Christel Pidcock continues to develop the Withcott tree forest at Shorelands Drive with the support of the Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Withcott Scout Group and Withcott & District Progress Association Inc.
This forest provides feed to local carers who require a constant, varied supply of the koalas in their care.
Keep an eye out on the TWS Facebook page for the next call out for volunteers to undertake regular slashing and general maintenance at Withcott.
DARLING DOWNS ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL (DDEC) KOALA ADVOCACY
DDEC has been advocating the Queensland Environment Minister for the Darling Downs to be included in the South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy, in particular, for aerial mapping of our core koala habitat.
DDEC has also established a Protect Trees Toowoomba campaign to pressure the Toowoomba Regional Council to implement strong regulations to provide immediate protection for local trees and significant ecological areas in the next Regional Planning Scheme due by 2027. Most SE Queensland Councils have had such protections in place for generations.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RECORDING KOALAS
As we know, data drives everything in our modern world.
It was encouraging to read a recent Toowoomba Regional Council development application [RAL/2025/5915] where the developer’s consultant ecologist was obliged to concede:-
“9 (Nine) recent [koala] records have been recorded on Atlas of Living Australia within 1 kilometre of the site from 2017-2024”
These recordings originated with Save Mt Lofty members entering their local koala observations onto the iNaturalist platform. These entries were subsequently transferred to the Atlas of Living Australia database confirming the existence of Mt Lofty koalas.
Local, state and federal government agencies need the input of community based land carers and volunteers to make informed decisions affecting our local koala populations.
LUCI – BUNYAS TO BORDERS PROJECT
Exciting news from Lockyer Upper Catchments’ Bunyas to Border (B2B) Corridor Koala Habitat Project, with Toowoomba local Mitchell Roberts taking over the part-time Project Manager’s role into 2026 – to add to all his other nature activities.
We all know Mitchell well from his inspiring wildlife photography and videography and wish him the best as this project continues to be funded by The Great Eastern Ranges and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in 2026 and beyond.
PITTSWORTH LANDCARE’S KOALA POPULATION STUDY
Earlier this year, Pittsworth Landcare launched their Darling Downs 2024 Koala Population Study 2024 report compiled by Olivia Woosnam (OWAD) and Dr Fiona Hogan (Federation University / Wild DNA).
The study was based on local koala scat samples effectively retrieved by Pittsworth Landcare members. DNA from the scats was then isolated then subjected to non-invasive genetic, disease & diet testing.
The study showed Darling Downs koalas exhibit significant genetic differentiation from those in the coastal parts of Southeast Queensland, The genetic divergence within the local population reveals a troubling trend: lack of habitat connectivity within the Darling Downs is causing Koalas to fragment into small, isolated clusters. The scat testing also provided insights into the disease and retrovirus prevalence and diet of local koalas that should inform future local koala conservation efforts across our Region.
Plans are underway to repeat and develop this study into other districts of the Darling Downs to increase our knowledge of the koala species. Please follow Pittsworth Landcare if you are interested in volunteering for this next study later next year.
TOOWOOMBA REGION KOALA HABITAT PROJECT
Whilst this Commonwealth Government funded project concluded in 2025, the project continues to undertake thermal drone koala habitat surveys for landholders into 2026.
The project website www.toowoombakoalaproject.org continues to hold valuable resources on koala tree planting and thermal drone surveys for interested landholders.
This year, Chris Meibusch took over from MaryLou Gittins OAM as Condamine / South West Director for Queensland Water and Land Carers Inc (QWaLC) – the peak body for landcare groups in Queensland. QWaLC provides free insurance to landcare, gardening and environmental groups across Queensland and provides other organisational support and advocacy. Please call Chris on 0419 765 078 should you have any QWaLC or insurance related questions.
In early 2026, Chris will also take the opportunity to travel south to visit and learn from the many similar koala projects in Eastern and Southern Australia.
Keen to learn particularly about tree planting campaigns, thermal drone surveys, detection dog training and utilisation, habitat rehabilitation through community engagement including schools and youth groups.
KOALA WELFARE & RESCUE OVER CHRISTMAS
Whilst most of us will use the Christmas break to rest and recharge our batteries, the work of koala rescue and care across our Region continues uninterrupted.
Here are the important numbers to call should you need koala rescue or care over the holiday period.
- KLAWS 0427 969 860
- High Country Koala Action Group 0456 252 723
- Toowoomba Koala & Wildlife Rescue 0491 688 503
Please remember these marvellous volunteer rescuers and carers like Trish LeeHong from Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation at Murphy’s Creek if you are minded to provide financial support this Festive Season.
SEASON’S GREETINGS
Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year to You and Yours.
You were all MAGNIFICENT in 2025 and will surely be again in 2026.
Regards
Chris Meibusch
Manager, Toowoomba Region Koala Count
Secretary, Save Mt Lofty Inc
Copyright © 2025 Save Mt Lofty Inc., All rights reserved.
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