The saga of Koala’s nomination for Federal listing as vulnerable to extinction under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 continues. As we understand it the Threatened Species Scientific Committee completed its eligibility assessment and provided its advice to Minister Burke on 30 September 2010. The Minister has 90 business days from that date in which to make and announce his decision.

On 17 November Senator Bob Brown delivered on his pre-election promise and successfully moved for a Senate inquiry to assess the threats to and management of koalas across the country.

The Senate Environment, Communications and the Arts References Committee has commenced the Inquiry by inviting written submissions of information, evidence and observations on the following terms of reference:  the status, health and sustainability of Australia's koala population, considering:
a. The iconic status of the koala and the history of its management;
b. Estimates of koala populations and the adequacy of current counting methods;
c. Knowledge of koala habitat;
d. Threats to koala habitat such as logging, land clearing, poor management, attacks from feral and domestic animals, disease and roads, and urban development;
e. The listing of the koala under the EPBC Act;
f. The adequacy of the National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy;
g. Appropriate future regulation for the protection of koala habitat;
h. Interaction of state and federal laws and regulations; and
i. Any other related matters.

The deadline for submissions is 8 February 2011. The Senate Committee will report by 1 June 2011.

Full information about the inquiry and assistance in making a submission is available at wwwaph.gov.au/senate/committee/ec_ctte/koalas/info.htm

To view the Friends of the Koalas letter to Bob Brown regarding the Senate Inquiry click here and scroll down to letters and submissions.