The Southern Tablelands has a large and growing koala population. Koalas in this region, particularly around Numeralla, make up 1 of 19 populations across New South Wales identified as priority for support under the NSW Koala Strategy.
Located in the foothills of the New South Wales Snowy Mountains, the region’s high elevation helps protect koalas from heat stress, making it an important climate refuge.
How does the regional partnership support koala conservation?
The NSW Government is supporting a Regional Koala Conservation Partnership with South East Local Land Services, under the NSW Koala Strategy.
This partnership builds on the success of South East Local Land Services’ Cold Country Koalas project and supports a dedicated koala officer who coordinates local projects focused on koala conservation.
Other agencies and organisations involved include Upper Murrumbidgee and Upper Snowy Landcare, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Biodiversity Conservation Trust, NSW Rural Fire Service, Snowy Monaro Regional Council, Snowy Mountains Wildlife Rescue LAOKO, Two Thumbs Koala Sanctuary, Snowy Vets, Australian National University, Ngarigo Nation Indigenous Corporation, local Aboriginal land councils, Australian Capital Territory Government and Forestry NSW.
What work is being undertaken?
A range of on-ground koala conservation actions are underway, such as:
- coordinating koala habitat restoration and protection on private land, such as livestock exclusion fencing and work to control pests and weeds
- coordinating the koala monitoring program on private land
- collaborating with fire practitioner agencies to reduce bushfire risk to koalas and habitat
- supporting koala research
- providing community engagement and education
- supporting the local koala carer community.
Additional support is also being given to South East Local Land Services, Upper Murrumbidgee and Upper Snowy Landcare to expand habitat restoration work and learn more about best practice habitat restoration in the Southern Tablelands.