Outcome

On 20 July 2016 Hon Ian Hunter MLC, SA Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation released the South Australian Koala Conservation and Management Strategy (PDF, 1.3MB). The Strategy has been developed following considerable community and expert consultation. The Minister said that koalas are one of our most-loved native species. The completed strategy outlines the Government’s approach to koala conservation and management, sets goals and guides actions to:

• safeguard the welfare of koalas in SA
• increase the social, educational and economic benefits of having koalas in South Australia by promoting opportunities to develop unique visitor experiences, strengthen private sector partnerships and optimise research initiatives, and
• reduce the negative impacts that over-abundant koala populations may have on their habitat.

The strategy will help protect koalas from threats such as traffic, dogs, disease, bushfires and reduced food quality due to global warming. It will also promote opportunities to develop unique visitor experiences, strengthen private sector partnerships and optimise research initiatives.

For the community consultation on Koala Conservation and Management in SA, alongside the general discussion we provided a survey to help understand what people thought about the strategy and where improvements could be made. Here are some of the preliminary statistics that we have pulled out of the survey results:

• 429 people took part and completed the online survey.
• Responses were received from all over South Australia and also from Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
• The majority of people who completed the survey (90.9%) said that they thought that the strategy was a good first step in the right direction.
• Most people (72.3%) could also see ways in which they could help to achieve the strategy goals.
• Some people (37.6%) identified issues that they thought were missing from the strategy, which they consider need to be added.

All of the survey results, comments and written submissions are now being reviewed by DEWNR and a post-consultation report is being prepared. A criteria has been developed, and will be applied to analyse all submissions to determine whether or not the draft Strategy should be amended before a final copy is provided to the Minister for consideration.

Thanks again for your interest in the Koala Conservation and Management draft strategy.