Private landholders’ key role in the future of koalas

THE Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative is keen to hear from local landholders interested in having koala habitat trees planted on their properties.

The initiative is a collaboration between the World Wide Fund for Nature Australia (WWF-Australia) and carbon farming service provider, Climate Friendly, supported by the NSW Government and HP Inc.

This first-of-its-kind carbon farming program aims to regenerate 10,000 hectares of koala habitat across eastern Australia over the next decade.

So far the program has seen 177,800 trees being planted across 135 hectares on several private properties in northern NSW.

“Koala Friendly Carbon is one of the highest integrity carbon initiatives the world has seen,” said Tanya Pritchard, Senior Manager at WWF-Australia.

“We believe that the market will pay a premium for a quality product.”

Landholders Steve Posselt and Lyn Thomson were delighted after their 31 hectare former cane farm near Woodburn was recently planted with 35,000 trees designed to encourage local biodiversity.

“I’m really pleased that we did it,” said Mr Posselt.

“It’s great to be able to sit back and watch the ecosystem developing, and we get paid in carbon credits.”

Australian Carbon Credits are a Federal Government initiative whereby eligible landowners can be paid for taking action to abate carbon emissions, such as tree planting, installing more energy efficient equipment, improving waste and landfill methods, improving carbon in soil and recycling and reusing animal waste.

So far the tree plantings through the WWF scheme have been concentrated in the north coast area of NSW, however the initiative is keen to look further afield to places such as Gloucester for large scale tree planting opportunities.

“We know that koalas are present in the Gloucester area, and many local landholders are already doing a lot to care for their land,” said Ms Pritchard.

“WWF would like to hear from property owners interested in planting trees for koalas through the Koala Friendly Carbon Initiative.

“These plantings can help restore habitat while also supporting healthier soils, shelter for stock, and long‑term resilience of farming landscapes.”
There are regular sightings of koalas in the countryside near Gloucester.

Over the past few years the Gloucester Environment Group (GEG), with the assistance of MidCoast Council, has planted thousands of koala friendly trees and plants on private land in an effort to connect areas of native vegetation and sustain koalas.

“Over the past few years our KoalaWays program has planted approximately 8000 seedlings,” said GEG president Tibor Kovats.

“This may seem a small number of plants compared to what is needed, but each planting leads to a better understanding of how to balance biodiversity and agriculture practices in the Gloucester area.

“Landholders can contact GEG via gloucester.environment.group@gmail.com, our website or Facebook page.”

Koala conservation projects are also progressing on State-owned land, with Environment Minister Penny Sharpe visiting Coffs Harbour recently to advance plans for the Great Koala National Park, designed to protect a critical koala population and other threatened species.

“The Great Koala National Park is a landmark investment in the Mid North Coast, securing our unique environment while driving new local jobs and economic opportunities for our communities,” said Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin, who accompanied Ms Sharpe.

To learn more about the WWF initiative, contact 00pritchard@wwf.org.au.

By John WATTS