A little known eucalypt tree, the Pilliga Box, is likely to be a critical link to Koala survival in Northwest NSW, and needs elevated recognition of its significance, according to latest survey results to be presented by Koala expert, David Paull at the 58th meeting of the Australian Mammal Society in South Australia today.
“This is because it grows in low lying depressions which are often waterlogged, providing suitable moisture levels in the leaves for the Koala to feed.
“This tree species is extremely important on a regional scale across the Pilliga and Leard State Forests. In the Pilliga where this tree is common, box flats of this species, along with creek lines, are central to the distribution of this species.
Both the Leard and Pilliga State forests are under imminent threat of becoming either an open cut coal mine or an industrial coal seam gas field.
“If approved, the open cut coal mines in Leard State Forest will completely destroy thousands of hecatres of forest dense with critical Koala food trees, red gums, Pilliga Box and White Box – severely impacting the Koala’s chances of survival in the region and its ability to disperse.
“Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke has a decision to make on both the Boggabri and Maules Creek coal mines in coming months and I hope that this new information will now be urgently considered by the Federal Government to inform that decision” he said.
“Santos has made their plans to turn the Pilliga, a critical habitat area for Koalas, into a coal seam gas industrial zone – posing a massive risk to fragile Koala populations” said Naomi Hogan, campaigner with The Wilderness Society Newcastle.
“The Koala is now a nationally listed threatened species and Burke should not give the green light to Koala food tree destruction either in Leard State Forest or the Pilliga. The Koala needs our protection now more than ever ‐ not a Koala food tree forest wipe out” she said.
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