A new interactive Koala Watch dashboard has been launched on Redlands Coast to help the community actively report and monitor the local koala population.
The dashboard is an addition to the innovative Redlands Coast Koala Watch online platform, which was created in 2020 as a collaborative initiative between Redland City Council, koala researchers and the community.
Mayor Jos Mitchell said Koala Watch collected vital data to support Council’s koala management and conservation efforts.
“Community members can use Koala Watch to report information about the appearance, condition and location of koalas in their area,” the Mayor said.
“Every reported sighting is crucial to understanding the health and distribution of our koala population, and the engagement of our community is essential in protecting this endangered species.”
As well as updating the koala sightings form on the site, Council has introduced an interactive dashboard that provides the community with insights into sightings across Redlands Coast.
Dashboard users can filter sightings by location, date, name and health status, as well as track the movements of named ambassador koalas within the four Koala Safe Neighbourhoods at Ormiston, Birkdale, Thornlands and Mount Cotton.
The Mayor said Koala Watch data would assist Council in identifying potential threats to koalas, such as habitat loss, vehicle strikes and disease outbreaks.
“The dashboard will provide useful data for consideration of impacts on koalas and koala vegetation,” she said.
“Everyone can play a part in monitoring our local koalas and helping to improve their health and wellbeing.
“You don’t need expert knowledge or equipment to report a koala sighting, and the new form is easy to complete.”
Regular koala spotters can also download the Survey123 field app for ongoing access to the Koala Watch form.
More information on Koala Watch – including the online reporting form, field app and interactive dashboard – is available at redland.qld.gov.au/koalawatch
