Natural resource management advisory series : note 9: Koala habitat

Abstract

This advisory note examines koala habitat identification and management in North East New South Wales, where koalas are listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. The document outlines key indicators for identifying koala habitat, including the presence of primary and secondary food tree species, historical records, and physical evidence such as scratches and scats. It provides comprehensive lists of koala food trees for both the North Coast and Northern Tablelands Koala Management Areas, categorizing them as primary or secondary species based on koala usage patterns. The note establishes specific criteria for recognizing potential and confirmed koala habitat, emphasizing the importance of protecting primary food trees and conducting proper habitat assessments. Management recommendations include guidelines for landowners and practical conservation measures. This resource serves as a technical guide for environmental managers, landowners, and conservation practitioners involved in koala habitat preservation in northeastern NSW, where significant habitat occurs on private lands and faces ongoing threats. The document addresses the critical need for habitat identification and protection, given that koalas have disappeared from 50-75% of their former range in NSW.