Gold Coast bushfires: need for a green plan with input from locals to save animals

A tragic photo of a singed koala mum and her joey has become a symbol of the devastating hinterland bushfires. It’s sparked fresh calls to help the city’s struggling wildlife.

THE loss of wildlife from the fires in the Gold Coast hinterland is giving strength to a push for an environment advisory committee to be reinstated to the Gold Coast City Council.

While authorities admit their focus is on preserving human life and properties, they acknowledge the death toll for native animals will be high.

This koala mum and her joey were rescued by Jimboomba Police and Wildcare volunteers in the Gold Coast hinterland bushfires.

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The heartbreaking photo of a singed koala mum who shielded her joey as fire tore through bushland in Sarabah has gone viral after it was posted, police rescuing the pair, taking them to the RSPCA Wildlife Hospital.

Wildlife Australia Inc today posted on Facebook their thanks to residents for donations as a team of trauma carers work around-the-clock at Canungra.

“At this stage we have only been able to access a few properties to check for casualties,” Wildlife Australia Inc said in the post.

“The fires continue to burn and until residents can return to their properties safely it is a bit of a waiting game for the team on the ground. However, rescues of other wildlife not located in the bushfires has been hectic with the commencement of spring.”

The brave mother koala and her joey rescued from the Gold Coast hinterland fire at Canungra. Picture: RSPCA Qld

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Wildlife Preservation Society Gold Coast branch president Sally Spain said the fires gave strength to several petitions just lodged with council to improve its environmental protection arm.

Helensvale-based councillor William Owen-Jones presented the petitions at the full council meeting on August 15.

The first calls for the reinstatement of the Environmental Advisory Committee which was banished after the 2004 elections.

The committee included members from Griffith University’s environmental school, indigenous groups and community associations giving strong local input.

“We did have some very good people on it like Professor Clyde Wild. Information, advice, resolutions from it were put to council and were of assistance,” Ms Spain said.

The petitions also call for a State of the Environment Report and to return to council the position of the committee chair of sustainability.

Ms Spain said the council had acknowledged the petitions and a response was being prepared by officers.

A male koala being taken into care by Wildcare volunteers after the Gold Coast fires. Picture: Wildcare Australia.

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She said Canungra was a critical region for wildlife given the urban pressures on other areas like Coomera in the north of the Coast.

“The bushfires are going to be a disaster (for wildlife). This is a very valuable area. We were losing wildlife everywhere else without this. Canungra was a refuge. It’s tragic for the fauna,” Ms Spain said.

“The small koala sheltered, unharmed, by his courageous fire seared mother has become a motif, in a sense, of the wider unfolding tragedy. Government and council, as they do, will aid and assist those who have lost homes and possessions. Community also will, as this is the Australian way.

“But for the injured and rescued fauna survivors, residents are encouraged to support and subscribe for the devoted volunteer carers in Wildcare and dedicated centres, Currumbin Wildlife, the RSPCA, and also Australia Zoo, who take the overflow of injured fauna that, sadly streams from our city even without the wildfires.”

Wildcare Australia is warning motorists that koalas, kangaroos and wallabies are on the move as they search for food and water sources.

“Please put bowls of water out around your backyards and properties. Your local wildlife will be most grateful. They are doing it tough out there,” Wildcare Australia Inc said.