With a housing crisis and 2.2 million more people, where will we put our koalas?
Southeast Queensland’s koalas are under increasing pressure as the region grapples with a housing crisis and a forecast population explosion of 2.2 million people.
The Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) warns the predicted population boom increases the risk of koala extinction, with the species under intense threat from urban sprawl and greenfield development.
The QCC has analysed the Palaszczuk governmentās regional housing blueprint ShapingSEQ, released in August, saying it allows for only the ābare minimumā of koala habitat protection.
The blueprint unlocks the housing supply to allow the construction of 900,000 new homes by 2046.
However, the QCC fears that almost six per cent of bushland will be lost to make way for the 2.2 million extra residents expected to call the region home.
Deputy Premier and State Development Minister Steven Miles said Queensland must plan for the population boom.
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āMore housing is needed than ever before, and we need a plan that ensures homes are delivered when and where they need to be, while also protecting Queenslandās great lifestyle,ā Mr Miles said at the development blueprint launch.
āThis plan doesnāt mean growth everywhere ā it plans for growth in the suburbs that can cater for growth.ā
However, the QCC has spent weeks analysing the blueprint and says it ramps up pressure on the regionās threatened koala population.
āSoutheast Queensland is an ecological treasure trove of rainforests, bushland and internationally listed wetlands and iconic species like the koala,ā QCC director Dave Copeman said.
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āAll of that is at risk, with the new ShapingSEQ regional plan opening up more bushland and native habitat to urban sprawl and development.ā
If the regionās animals and plants are to have any hope not only to survive but to thrive, at least 40 per cent of the area needs to be covered by native bushland and natural ecosystems, the QCC warns.
āCurrently, southeast Queensland sits at 35 per cent bushland cover,ā Mr Copeman said.
āThis plan earmarks a further six per cent of SEQ bushland for new housing, putting the region at risk of falling below the globally recognised minimum of 30 per cent bushland cover.ā
He said natural disasters and ongoing development threatened the koala habitat.
āRather than nurturing critical koala habitat, the ShapingSEQ plan could be another series of attacks, putting the species at further risk of extinction,ā Mr Copeman said.
āWe canāt afford to lose a single hectare if we want to save the species.ā
A spokesperson for the deputy premier said the QCC had been consulted before the release of the blueprint in August and supported the planās release.
The QCC admitted the government was āmoving in the right directionā, but still must do more to ensure koala habitat protection.
The minister has been contacted for comment.
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