Koala Diaries Blog

This week I had the privilege of attending the Senate Inquiry hearing in Brisbane, held for the purpose of investigating the status, health and sustainability of Australia’s koala population.  I was one of 21 witnesses called to give evidence, and I therefore had the opportunity to explain the premise of Koala Diaries, and my thoughts on a number of the contentious issues relating to the management of koalas and their bushland habitat.   More

During the last week two milestones have quietly slipped by. More

OK, I know I’m a bit like a stuck record when it comes to Noosa’s koalas – and particularly the koalas of the Noosa National Park.  But as grim as the situation is here, it comes to light that this is just symptomatic of a much bigger problem in Queensland - an admission by the Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, Kate Jones, that only 98 of the 576 parks and protected areas under the care of the Department of Environment and Resource Management have a management strategy. More

I am not a koala carer. Our website, Koaladiaries.com.au is born of the realisation that I am in the majority, knowing very little about the koala. Already it has taught me so much about this truly wonderful animal. I have learned from people around the country submitting sightings with details such as "sitting in a Jacaranda", "swimming from Rabbit Island to Newry Island" and more.  More

You might not have heard much about Koala Diaries in the press lately, but we have been busy with our heads down. But before I tell you what’s new and of interest, I have to say thank you. More

Does the Powerlines Action Group Eumundi (PAGE) really have a case against Powerlink, the government corporation responsible for the construction and maintenance of high voltage transmission lines? There is no question the quality of power supply to the northern end of the Sunshine Coast and hinterland is sub-standard and on the plus side, new high voltage transmission lines will smooth the spikes. On the negative, it will also deliver the infrastructure necessary for the government's desired doubling of population in the area. But wait, there's more... More

Overwhelmingly, the residents of the Sunshine Coast value their quality of life and recognise that the State Government’s pro-growth development agenda is eroding this lifestyle and the natural assets of the region - notably, our precious koalas and their habitat.   Make no mistake, the situation for our koalas has never been so dire.  More

Each day it seems, I find it harder to claim to be a proud Australian.  More

The Queensland Government is calling for public comment on the draft versions of the State Planning Regulatory Provision (SPRP) and State Planning Policy (SPP) as part of their koala crisis response strategy.   Submissions are due by 28 February - visit  http://www.derm.qld.gov.au for details. More

Having seen koalas myself on Leslie Drive, Noosa Heads, I was delighted when someone uploaded a sighting submission immediately after we launched last week, notifying members of Koala Diaries of the number and nature of koalas who frequent a couple of the blocks on Leslie Drive that are covered with koala trees. More