Redland City Council has completed a two-year program to map key corridors and priority conservation areas across the City.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council could now make more informed decisions about conservation and the environment.
“Now that we know where our key habitats and connections are, our chances of achieving positive conservation and environmental outcomes will be dramatically improved,” Cr Williams said.
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Council’s environmental spokesperson Cr Lance Hewlett said the mapping showed Council what areas of the city are used by koalas and other wildlife and provided a clear direction about where we need to focus our efforts to achieve the best outcomes.
“This will allow us to mount a far more coordinated effort that – most importantly – will be based on accurate data,” he said.
“This mapping data will be a valuable resource that can be used by Council, environmental groups, other levels of government and researchers.”
Cr Williams said the mapping identified crucial connections between local habitat to support biodiversity and strong local wildlife populations.
“Redland City Council has spent millions of dollars trying to protect koalas in recent years yet the koala population has continued to decline,” she said.
“We can’t hope to save the koala tree by tree and it’s time we had the debate about what can work.
“If we are to protect our koalas and other native animals we need a different approach, based on science rather than emotion.
“I have already started the conversation with scientists and hope to be in a position to make announce further scientific initiatives in the New Year.
“While the corridor mapping and other work Council is doing gives us a great start, Council can’t succeed on our own. It has to be a collaborative effort between all levels of government, the community, scientists and business.
“That’s the only way we have a real chance of success.
“In the meantime, every community member can play a role by slowing down and driving carefully, restraining dogs, replanting koala habitat trees and contributing to research into diseases that kill koalas.”
For more information on environmental planning and wildlife in the Redlands visit http://www.redland.qld.gov.au/EnvironmentWaste/EnvironmentPlans/Pages/default.aspx
