Koalas protected under agreements with New England landholders
The Minns Labor Government is permanently protecting another 4,148 hectares of habitat on private land – including 1,692 hectares of koala habitat – thanks to new koala conservation agreements in Armidale and Uralla.
The NSW Government is committed to ensuring the long-term survival of koalas in the wild. This important koala habitat is now protected, forever, and makes a significant contribution to the survival of this iconic species.
The agreements struck between private landholders and the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust have been registered on title and will protect important habitat for koalas, as well as the regent honeyeater and critically endangered native vegetation.
The Northern Inland Koala conservation tender invited landholders to set a price to protect significant habitat on their land.
Almost $9 million has been invested in the tender so far, with successful landholders to receive annual payments under agreed management plans which may include activities such as pest animal and weed control, fencing and revegetation.
Payments are made to landholders to manage their conservation areas under an agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. Agreed management actions may include activities such as pest animal and weed control, fencing and revegetation.
These agreements mean that the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust has achieved its 2025 goal to secure 200,000 hectares of private land under conservation agreements a full 12 months earlier than predicted.
Quote attributable to Minister for the Environment Penny Sharpe:
“The conservation efforts of landholders across NSW are critically important to preserve habitat and protect our endangered species, especially koalas.
“This tender means we have already reached our target of protecting 200,000 hectares of private land by 2025, and secured quality habitat for koalas in one of the highest priority areas in the state, forever.
“It’s wonderful to be able to announce these conservation agreements during Save the Koala Month.
“More than 70% of land is privately owned in NSW, so these agreements are vital to add to the growing network of protected koala habitat across the state.”
Quote attributable to Armidale landholder Peter Lloyd:
“The conservation agreement means we can put funds into active conservation management for koalas on our property.
“Having an agreement in-perpetuity means we can hand this land over knowing it will be protected forever.”
Quote attributable to NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust CEO Erin Giuliani:
“Koalas are an endangered species in NSW and habitat loss poses the greatest threat to their survival.
“The tender area, taking in the Armidale and Uralla Local Government Areas, is known to support high quality patches of koala habitat and was prioritised for investment under the NSW Koala Strategy.
“Koala habitat in this region mainly occurs on privately-owned land. Landholders play a critical role in securing a future for koalas in NSW.”
Information for media:
What is the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust?
The NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust, or BCT, is the NSW Government agency tasked with protecting and enhancing biodiversity on private land across NSW. It was established under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
What is private land conservation?
Private land conservation is the protection of native species and habitat on privately-owned land. Landholders enter into a long-term agreement to maintain and enhance biodiversity on their properties.
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