What you can do

koala habitat

Habitat is key

Quality habitat is vital to koala conservation. The best thing we can do for koalas is provide them with large areas of consolidated, high-quality habitat away from threats.

Koalas feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves. The two or three tree species they prefer vary throughout their range. The following preferred food trees have been identified in the Kempsey Shire: 

Primary food tree species

Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys)

Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis)

Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta)

Secondary/supplementary food tree species

Grey Gum (Eucalyptus propinqua)

White Stringybark (Eucalyptus globoidea)

Stringybark (Eucalyptus tindaliae)

Where to plant koala trees

Koala food trees are best planted:

  • near existing koala habitat to increase food resources
  • near watercourses like creeks, rivers or dams
  • between isolated remnants of koala habitat to connect the areas and create habitat corridors
  • close to fence lines.

If you would like to plant koala food trees on your property, it is best to use plants grown from locally grown seed stock. Macleay Landcare can help you source local seed stock. The Port Macquarie Koala Hospital (email habitat@koalahospital.org.au) can also assist with habitat enquiries.

Landholders with koala habitat can receive financial and other incentives for participating in conservation initiatives – see the NSW Government’s Biodiversity Conservation Trust.

Other actions you can take

Most koala habitat in our region is on private land. As a landowner, you can play a critical role in helping increase and maintain koala population areas.

People living near koala habitats in Kempsey Shire can take the following actions to help protect koala populations from further deterioration and increase numbers:

  • Be aware of koalas and wildlife when driving, especially between dusk and dawn. Drive slowly and carefully at night. During the August–February breeding season, koalas are particularly vulnerable, spending more time on the ground to find a mate. If you see wildlife on the road at night, slow down, sound your horn and dim your lights.
  • If you do hit an animal or see a sick or injured one, call WIRES on 1300 094 737, FAWNA on 02 6581 4141, or Port Macquarie Koala Hospital on 02 6584 1522.
  • Manage your dogs, especially if you live near bushland or koala habitat, by: 
    • keeping your dog inside or restrained at night
    • not allowing your dog to roam freely
    • always walking your dog on a lead and reporting stray or roaming dogs to Council
    • restraining your dog if you see a koala in your yard, which will give the koala a chance to move on
    • giving your dog its own play area, fenced off from the rest of the yard with koala exclusion fencing.
  • Install koala-friendly fences or make your existing fence koala-friendly. You can find information on koala-friendly fences at www.savethekoala.com.
  • Apply low-intensity, mosaic pattern fuel reduction burns adjacent to koala habitat.

 

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