Low-density koala populations are scattered throughout the highly fragmented and cleared Northern Tablelands Koala Management Area (KMA 4).
The distribution of koalas in this area is poorly understood. They are found in a range of habitat types including small woodland and forest remnants, paddock trees within fertile agricultural areas, and more rugged woodlands and forests.
Image: Map showing the extent of the Northern Tablelands Koala Management Area (KMA),
with national parks, state forests, major waterways and roads.
Threats
Koalas and koala habitat in KMA 4 are threatened by:
- lack of knowledge about this low-density population and its threatening processes
- continued habitat clearing and fragmentation due to rural residential development
- climate change, drought and heatwaves
- high-intensity fires causing koala injury and death, and temporarily eliminating food sources
- possible future influx of koalas from the larger populations to the west, as their habitat range shrinks due to climate change, increasing competition for limited resources
- vehicle strike and domestic dog attack
- diseases such as chlamydia and koala retrovirus.
Restoration of habitat
Habitat restoration aims to reduce threats to koalas, increase habitat and help conserve koala populations.
Read our Koala habitat restoration guidelines (the Guidelines) for evidence-based recommendations and best-practice methods for restoring koala habitat.
Choosing an approach
Before you choose a restoration approach, such as natural regeneration, assisted regeneration, reintroductions or a combination of these, carefully assess your site and identify:
- which plant community you aim to reinstate
- whether the site has existing native vegetation on it. If native vegetation exists, try to facilitate natural regeneration before planting or direct seeding. The Guidelines have more information.
