Minister says koala translocation budget is exhausted
Koala translocation projects, including at Pearl Beach, have been put on hold because the budget for them has been exhausted.
That is the reason given to the Pearl Beach Patonga Koala Group in a letter from Environment Minister Mr James Griffin.
Mr Griffin told group convenor Ms Ann Parsons: "At the beginning of 2022, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department of Planning and Environment's Science Economics and Insights Division considered the work was behind schedule due to Covid-19 and adverse weather.
"After consultation with the National Parks translocation team, the Division requested the University to focus on one site, Coolah Tops National Park, to ensure meaningful work could be finalised in at least one potential translocation site with the remaining funds."
Mr Griffin said: "The University of Sydney completed preliminary work into the feasibility of Brisbane Water National Park and Royal National Park.
"Additional work may still occur at these sites, but it was not possible to complete this work under the current project."
Ms Parsons said: "The previous Energy and Environment Minister Mr Matt Kean aimed to double the koala population by 2050.
"In 2021, the NSW Koala Strategy received over $190 million from the NSW Government towards establishing this goal.
"The 2022 NSW Koala Strategy states as one of the key koala conservation targets by the end of 2026 was 'to have up to eight translocation projects implemented'.
"Now with the remaining funds, they hope to finalise one potential translocation site.
"Where has the money gone?"
Ms Parsons encouraged residents "to think about koalas and other threatened species when you vote".
SOURCE:
Social media, 17 Mar 2023
Ann Parsons, Pearl Beach Patonga