The NSW Government is developing a NSW Koala Strategy. As part of this process, the government invited input on what should be included in a whole-of-government NSW koala strategy to stabilise and then start to increase koala numbers.

From December 2016 to March 2017, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage sought feedback from the community on how to develop an effective NSW Koala Strategy though a number of public engagement activities.

In March 2016, the former Minister for the Environment, Mark Speakman, asked the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, Professor Mary O’Kane AC, to undertake a review into the decline of koala populations in key areas of New South Wales.

The NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer’s report outlines some of the major issues requiring attention if we are to reverse the decline in koalas. The NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer has made 11 recommendations.

The NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer’s recommendations propose the development of a whole-of-government NSW koala strategy using the best available science to:

improve data and mapping
improve outcomes for koalas through changes to the planning system and native vegetation regulation
investigate models for guiding and encouraging best practice
prioritise areas of land for conservation management, and
develop a series of actions to improve collaboration and information exchange amongst government, researchers, land managers and the community.

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