Revealed: Four koalas will cost taxpayers more than $3 million before Coast hospital is built

Up to four koalas are believed to be living on the site for a future Gold Coast hospital, sparking a multi-million dollar rescue plan and compensation bill for Queensland taxpayers. FULL DETAILS >>>

UP to four koalas are believed to be living on a future Gold Coast Hospital site sparking a multi-million dollar rescue plan and compensation bill for Queensland taxpayers.

The financial settlement for acquiring the koala habitat for the future Coomera health precinct could be up to $3,105,000, the Bulletin can reveal.

A koala leaves a gated community at Coomera Waters. Photo: Amy Pajunen

The State Government will need to capture the animals and find a suitable future home, with Planit Consulting estimating the translocation would cost $6480 along with $50,000 to $100,000 for ongoing monitoring.

Consultants when completing an ecological assessment on the 13.5ha site at 41 George Alexander Way, bound by the Coomera railway station to the west and south, concluded a referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 may not be necessary.

Initial desktop assessments identified the following threatened species — 20 flora, 28 fauna, 17 migratory, 24 marine, and two ecological communities.

The study site for the Coomera hospital and health precinct in the northern Gold Coast.

Consultants estimate 11.13ha including 8.5ha of remnant vegetation would need clearing “increasing fragmentation and reducing connectivity of wildlife corridors”, leading to more vehicle strikes.

The project according to its master plan will include two 12-level hospital buildings, a seven-level clinical services block, two five-level car parks, a five-level facility centre and seven level clinical services building. It could start next year and “evolve” across five years.

A field survey undertaken across the study site in 2015 “confirmed widespread use by koalas” with densities similar to those in the Coomera-Pimpama forested areas.

Mapping show vegetation at the planned new Coomera hospital and health precinct in the north of the Gold Coast.

“Field survey events in 2015 and 2020 confirm the study site comprised medium to high quality koala habitat that supports established home ranges of four individual koalas. As a result, and following the EPBC Act referral guidelines, clearing for development will result in the removal of habitat critical to the survival of the koala,” the report said.

A Department of Environment and Science spokesperson said the proposed Coomera Hospital was in the design phase, and the Planit Consulting report outlined potential strategies for managing koala populations, planting new koala habitat and offsetting koala habitat.

“The report’s analysis of a potential $3 million offset cost highlights the maximum potential costs for koala habitat offsetting at the proposed development site,” the spokesperson said.

Buildings planned for the Coomera hospital and health precinct in the northern Gold Coast.

“The report identifies translocation as one potential approach to manage the impacts on any koalas currently on the proposed development site.

“The Department of Environment and Science’s current preferred option for koala relocation is using sequential and progressive practices that allow koalas to move into nearby habitats.”

The department would continue to monitor the wildlife population and work closely with Queensland Health to identify effective solutions for the health and safety of the koalas, the spokesperson added.

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