Koala food trees risk coal and gas wipe out: new survey shows | Stop Pilliga Coal Seam Gas
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.
“These recent Koala survey data from Leard Forest show that
Eucalyptus Pilligaensis, or Pilliga Box as it is commonly known, is a
primary food tree rather than a secondary tree as is currently accepted
under the Koala Recovery Plan” states Mr Paull.
“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.
