Koala 'translocation' not ruled out, says Minister
NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage Mr James Griffin has told Pearl Beach Arboretum that "koala translocation" to Brisbane Water National Park has not been ruled out.
However, despite this, it appears that no money is being allocated to the Brisbane Water National Park Koala Project.
"At no stage did the National Parks and Wildlife Service or the Environment and Heritage Group's Science, Economics and Insights Division advise stakeholders - including Pearl Beach Arboretum - that Brisbane Water National Park or Royal National Park would not be considered for koala translocation," Mr Griffin said in an email received on January 10.
"Up to eight translocations will be implemented by June 2026, which will enhance the viability of identified populations and improve koala prospects in NSW."
He said that the National Parks Service was "currently considering the suitability of several source and recipient sites".
He said the University of Sydney had been commissioned under the 2018-2021 Koala Strategy to investigate the feasibility of Brisbane Water National Park, Royal National Park and Coolah Tops National Park as koala translocation sites.
Arboretum committee member Ms Ann Parsons said she had since received an email from National Parks on February 1 saying resources were being directed to Coolah Tops National Park.
"Under the former strategy, a research agreement was put in place with the University of Sydney to assess the feasibility of three locations for koala translocation (Royal, Brisbane Water and Coolah Tops National Parks)," it said.
"To ensure meaningful outcomes could be reached within the remaining time and budget of the research agreement, it was decided to direct resources to Coolah Tops feasibility assessments."
Ms Parsons said Mr Griffin had issued a media release "Funding boost for koala research" on February 2.
It describes the Government's $190 million NSW Koala Strategy as "the biggest commitment by any government to a single species in Australia".
Ms Parsons said: "Some of this money is going to Queensland and the ACT which aren't part of NSW.
"There is a lot of money floating around but none being directed to Brisbane Water National Park," she said.
Peninsula News reported on November 28 that the Department of Planning and Environment had advised the Pearl Beach Arboretum association that Brisbane Water National Park was no longer being considered for koala translocation.
SOURCE:
Social media, 6 Feb 2023
Ann Parsons, Pearl Beach Patonga Koala Group