As part of its ongoing conservation efforts, the City of Gold Coast has established a new tree plantation to provide food for sick, injured and orphaned koalas.
City officers, together with volunteers from Wildcare Australia, the local Tallebudgera State School, and the Koala Friends Program, planted seedlings for 300 eucalypts and 100 flowering Melaleuca and Grevillea species in a City-owned recreation area in Tallebudgera.
The plantation will serve as an important food resource for sick, injured and orphaned koalas, which are cared for by Wildcare Australia volunteers.
Field surveys indicate the koala population in Elanora and Currumbin Waters is widespread, with between 200 and 400 animals residing in the area.
The City’s Koala Conservation Plan for the area of Elanora-Currumbin Waters aims to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the local koala population through education and conservation efforts.
Gold Coast residents are encouraged to report koala sightings by signing up to the City’s Koala Friends Program at gchaveyoursay.com.au/koalas or by phoning 1300 GOLDCOAST.
From this data, the City is able to identify current and potential black spots on its roads, monitor population trends, target community education and inform bushfire planning.
President of Wildcare Australia, Karen Scott, said the plantation would be of tremendous benefit to its volunteer wildlife carers, who care for koalas, possums, gliders and birds.
“The provision of native vegetation for animals in care is essential for their health and well-being and it is becoming increasingly difficult for volunteers to access this resource,” said Ms Scott.
“Our volunteers appreciate the hard work the City has put into the establishment of the plantation and their ongoing support of wildlife carers.”
