Have your say—Developing a new South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy

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Background

The koala is an iconic Australian species, treasured by Queenslanders and admired by visitors from around the world. However, their populations have been severely affected by a range of environmental, biological and human factors.

As a result, koalas are listed as endangered at both state and national levels, making conservation efforts increasingly urgent.

South East Queensland (SEQ) is home to the largest concentration of koalas in the state, making it a cornerstone for their survival.

At the same time, our population is growing rapidly, with SEQ expected to accommodate an additional 1.54 million residents by 2041. This places increasing pressure on koala habitats as land is also needed for housing and critical infrastructure.

Together with our partners, we are committed to safeguarding these iconic animals, ensuring their populations recover and remain an enduring symbol of Queensland’s unique environment for future generations to come.

That’s why we’re developing a new South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy for 2026–2036.

The new Strategy will succeed the now expired 2020–2025 Strategy and deliver a fresh start for koala conservation.

Discussion paper

We’re inviting Queenslanders to have their say on the development of a new South East Queensland (SEQ) Koala Conservation Strategy.

The A fresh start for SEQ koalas: Developing a new South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2026–2036 discussion paper presents four focus areas to help address the decline of this iconic species. The focus areas cover:

  • Protecting and restoring habitat
  • Reducing threats
  • Working together
  • Enhancing monitoring, reporting and mapping.

At the same time, we’re also seeking feedback on how the current koala habitat regulations can be improved.

We encourage you to have your say to help shape a common-sense, balanced approach to koala conservation.

How to provide feedback

Your feedback will be used to inform the development of the new South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy. It will also shape proposed regulatory amendments to the koala habitat regulation framework.

Please consider the questions posed in the discussion paper’s focus areas and share your thoughts via the following:

Answer questions online:

Email your submission:

In the interest of transparency and to promote informed discussion, we would prefer submissions to be made publicly available wherever this is reasonable. If confidentiality is preferable, this should be clearly noted on the front page of the submission.

While the Queensland Government will endeavour to identify and protect material claimed as confidential, exempt information and information of which the disclosure would be contrary to the public interest (within the meaning of the Right to Information Act 2009), it cannot guarantee that submissions will not be made publicly available. There is a possibility that the department may be required to reveal confidential information as a result of a right to information request.

Consultation closes 5pm, 15 March 2026.

Community engagement sessions

The Queensland Government is also hosting free engagement sessions to gather feedback on the discussion paper and facilitate discussions on the future of koala conservation in SEQ. These will include in-depth, workshop-style engagement sessions, information style engagement sessions, and an online engagement session. Engagement sessions are open to the public and will be held across SEQ.

3-hour engagement sessions will include an overview of the discussion paper, participation in workshop activities, and a brief Q&A panel discussion. These sessions are suitable for community members who have experience or interest in habitat protection, threat mitigation, monitoring and mapping, or the koala habitat regulation framework.

1.5-hour engagement sessions will include an overview of the discussion paper and a Q&A panel discussion. These sessions are suitable for community members who have a general interest in koalas and their conservation, or those who wish to find out more about the discussion paper.

Spaces are limited and registration is essential. Please register for a free ticket using the relevant link below:

3-hour engagement sessions

1.5-hour engagement sessions

An online engagement session will also be held for those that are unable to attend an in-person engagement session. The online session will take approximately one hour and include an overview of the discussion paper and a brief Q&A panel discussion with representatives of the project team.

If you plan on completing the online survey or making a written submission, we encourage attending a stakeholder engagement session to help inform your submission.

Further information

If you have any questions about the consultation process, please contact us:
SEQKoalaStrategy@detsi.qld.gov.au

Last updated:
5 February 2026