Gold Coast koalas under threat of extinction as developers close in

IN AN IRONIC twist, the face of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games also represents an iconic marsupial facing extinction on the Glitter Strip.

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CONSERVATIONISTS fear the local extinction of an Aussie icon as bulldozers move in on one of the last pockets of koala habitat on the Gold Coast.

The head of Dreamworld’s koala breeding program, Al Mucci, said authorities needed to turn words into action or Borobi, the Commonwealth Games’ lovable mascot, would be the only koala left on the Gold Coast.

The Coomera Conservation Group feared the local koala population would become unsustainable within five years if urgent steps weren’t taken to protect the region’s remaining marsupials and their habitat.

About 100 koalas are already trapped in isolated pockets in the development hotspot, with at least 14 surrounded by bulldozers at a residential estate under construction at Foxwell Rd.

Queensland Environment Minister Steven Miles has asked his department to investigate ways of relocating the remaining koalas to other habitats better connected to the so-called “koala corridor”.

But it could be too little too late, with wildlife carers reporting that three koalas had been hit and killed by cars in the area in the past few days.

Even a Gold Coast City Council planning report concedes different solutions need to be developed for isolated koala populations that “face increased threat to survival”.

It says planning measures do not provide “safe movement off isolated development sites”.

Isolated koala populations on the Gold Coast face an increased threat to their survival.

Coomera Conservation Group spokeswoman Nicole Taylor said there was no allegation of wrongdoing by developer Stockland, which was fulfilling its environmental requirements, but the council should be doing more to protect koalas.

“Action must be taken within the next five years or the population will be unsustainable,” she said. “They knew this was going to be a catastrophe, and they haven’t done anything about it.”

Dr Miles said he met with conservationists who made “a strong case” for government intervention.

“I appreciate the passion they have for their local koalas,” he said.

“I have asked the Environment Department to explore translocating the koalas.

“Ultimately, those decisions need to be made by the scientists, but I have emphasised to the department that I think the Coomera Conservation Group make a strong case.”

In conjunction with the Queensland University of Technology, Dreamworld this year launched a captive breeding program to shore up the region’s koala population, but Mr Mucci said authorities needed to get serious about saving the animals.

“Borobi is the mascot of the Commonwealth Games, but if we’re not careful, he will be the only koala left on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“And that would be an absolute tragedy.”

Planning chairman Cameron Caldwell said “council will always seek to achieve the best possible outcome in the legislative framework provided”.