Recommendations


Recommendations

Recommendation 1

2.144      The committee recommends that the Australian Government fund research into the genetic diversity of the koala including a population viability assessment of the southern koala and determining priority areas for conservation nationally.

Recommendation 2

2.147      The committee recommends that the Australian Government fund a properly designed, funded and implemented national koala monitoring and evaluation program across the full range of the koala.

Recommendation 3

2.153      The committee recommends that the Australian Government establish a nationally coordinated and integrated program for population monitoring of threatened species and other culturally, evolutionary and/or economically significant species.

Recommendation 4

2.155      The committee recommends that the Australian Government assist the koala research community and interested organisations to work towards a standardised set of methodologies for estimating koala populations.

Recommendation 5

2.160      The committee recommends that the Threatened Species Scientific Committee provide clearer information to the Environment Minister in all future threatened species listing advices, including species population information, and that the Threatened Species Scientific Committee review its advice to the Minister on the listing of the koala in light of the findings of this inquiry.

Recommendation 6

3.127      The committee recommends that the Australian Government undertake habitat mapping across the koala's national range, including the identification of priority areas of koala conservation, with a view to listing important habitat under the provisions of the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Recommendation 7

3.129      The committee recommends that the habitat maps be used to identify and protect important habitat in known koala ranges.

Recommendation 8

3.131      The committee recommends that the Australian Government review its land holdings which contain koala habitat and consider biodiversity, and specifically koala populations, in the management and sale of Commonwealth land.

Recommendation 9

3.134      The committee recommends that the Australian Government actively consider options for recognition and funding for private land holders for the conservation of koala habitat.

Recommendation 10

4.44      The committee recommends that the Australian Government fund research into koala disease, including the viability of vaccination programs and the effect of changes in leaf chemistry.

Recommendation 11

4.46      The committee recommends that the Australian Government fund the Koala Research Network's request for a Research Liaison Officer.

Recommendation 12

4.77      The committee recommends that the Australia Government consider further wild dog control options in priority koala areas.

Recommendation 13

4.90      The committee recommends that local and state governments:

  • introduce appropriate speed limits in priority koala areas; and
  • that where appropriate, build or retrofit underpasses or overpasses for major roads in priority koala areas as well as installing koala fencing adjacent to major roads.

Recommendation 14

4.92      The committee recommends where the Australian Government provides funding for roads or other infrastructure in or adjacent to koala habitat, it be contingent on the provision of adequate koala protections.

Recommendation 15

4.94      The committee recommends that the Australian Government work with the states to develop new national guidelines to ensure that all new roads and upgrades in or adjacent to koala habitat are koala-friendly.

Recommendation 16

5.78      The committee recommends that the Environment Minister consider the evidence provided to this inquiry when making his final decision on listing the koala as a threatened species.

Recommendation 17

5.82      The committee recommends the Environment Minister consider options to improve the conservation status of the diverse and rapidly declining koala populations in New South Wales and Queensland to ensure a nationally resilient population is maintained. These options include listing the koala as vulnerable under the EPBC Act in areas where populations have declined significantly or are at risk of doing so.

Recommendation 18

6.46      The committee recommends that an independent external review be conducted on the National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy to monitor the adequacy of progress. The review should assess and report on the progress made at the strategy's midpoint.

6.47      The review must include an assessment of the:

  • strategy's implementation to date and prospects into the future;
  • strategy's effectiveness in stabilising koala numbers in areas of declining population, and in reducing the pressure of overabundant populations;
  • strategy's level of ambition, including whether new elements are required; and
  • adequacy of the Commonwealth's and the states' respective roles and funding commitments.

Recommendation 19

6.52      The committee recommends that the Australian Government adequately resource the National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy, and ensure that it is properly implemented through committing to a much stronger leadership role.

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