‘Death sentence' for koala population as site designated for 210,000 residents
Experts are warning the Queensland government's plan to turn koala habitat into housing is a 'death sentence' for one of Australia's most iconic native animals.
The state government announced the Priority Development Area (PDA) at Southern Thornlands in Redlands on April 4, covering an 890ha area with around 8000 new houses set to be built.
The Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) argues that the development will be a 'death sentence' for animals in the area known as the 'Koala Coast'.
About 185ha of core koala habitat that provides important food and shelter for koala populations is set to be destroyed by the development, according to the QCC.
'Koalas are on the brink of extinction in South East Queensland, and we must protect the remaining habitat, not carve it up for the benefit of big developers,' Nature Campaigner and Ecologist Natalie Frost said.
'This PDA is at odds with the local council, community and the needs of Queensland's environment. It's a great shame to see the state government failing in its duty to protect one of the nation's most iconic and loveable marsupials, the koala.'
The QCC is calling for the state government to revoke the PDA and instead renew and strengthen South East Queensland Conservation Strategy, which is set to expire this year. The Queensland Conservation Council is calling for protection of a remaining koala habitat. Credit: The Queensland Conservation Council
'The LNP has stated that it will reform the planning system, but where is the detail, and is this what reform looks like? David Crisafulli has talked about the problem of losing koala habitat to development, but offered no details except to say it should be protected,' Frost said.
'By building up in the right places, not out, and adopting sustainable design principles we can protect SEQ's remaining 35 per cent remnant bushland and 31 per cent koala habitat and start making habitat restoration a habit, while still creating affordable, well-connected and liveable homes.'
Redland City Council said that now the PDA has been declared, the Redland City Plan will no longer apply to the area and council will have no formal control over planning and decision-making within the designated PDA area. Some 185ha of koala habitat is set to be affected by the development, according to the QCC. Credit: AAP
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) said the PDA would offer housing choices to the community, as well as provide an integrated approach to infrastructure planning, including transport, schools and community facilities.
'The Southern Thornlands PDA will play an important role in addressing Redland City Local Government Area's future housing, infrastructure, and economic needs,' EDQ said.
'Recognised as a priority future growth area in Shaping SEQ in 2023, this PDA supports the region's future growth.'
EDQ said that by 2046, Redlands is predicted to grow to a population of approximately 210,000 residents.
'New and diverse housing is required to accommodate this growth,' they said.
However, community run group Redlands2030 said the PDA will likely lead to the 'local extinction of koalas' in the area.
'What is needed is a planning approach that puts koalas as a priority consideration,' Redlands2030 president Steve McDonald said.
'But instead, a PDA is a top-down planning process. It will be another assault on the livability and quality of life in the Redlands, and it will likely see lots that are less than 300sqm, as well as duplexes and other higher-density housing options.'
EDQ said that it appreciates that a development of this scale will affect people who live and work locally, and are engaging with the community and stakeholders.
The group said a formal consultation period for community feedback on the proposed Development Scheme will also be set.
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