Biodiversity Strategy - Gosford City Council - NSW Government

A draft Recovery Plan has been prepared for the species (NPWS 2003b). This includes
recommendations for identifying and conserving important Koala habitat, preparation of
Koalas Plans of Management, road design and signage, and surveys and further
research. State Environmental Planning Policy No 44 - Koala Habitat Protection also
applies to the assessment and protection of core Koala habitat. Potential Koala habitat is
described as areas of native vegetation where listed trees constitute as least 15% of the
total number of trees in the upper or lower strata of the tree component. In considering
development proposals Council must consider whether potential Koala habitat exists and
if so whether the area is core Koala habitat that is an area with a resident population of
Koalas, evidenced by attributes such as breeding females and recent and historical
records of a population.
The impact of fire including high intensity bushfire is identified as a threat to Koalas, both
through direct death or injury from fire in the canopy and reduced areas for foraging. Also
it may alter flora species composition. Ecotone note that a severe fire could kill a large
proportion of the Brisbane Water NP population, such as occurred in the Port Stephens
area in 1994 when 6,000 hectares of known or potential Koala habitat was burnt. After this
fire, volunteers found 46 dead and 53 live Koalas (NPWS 2003b).
Dogs and cars are identified as major threats, particularly in existing residential areas as
the animals come down at night-time to move to other feed trees. Dog attacks can also
occur in backyards as Koalas can climb fences and may cross yards to get to feed trees.
Even a quick bite from a dog may be enough to kill a koala as their skin is very pliable and
internal organs are easily punctured (The Australian Koala Foundation Newsletter June
1996).
Ecotone (1996) also note the importance of coastal flats which historically would probably
have provided prime feeding historically and the fact that these areas are not represented
in National Park estate. The report recommends planting of food trees in disturbed areas
such as the former sanitary depot near Ettalong Swamp within Brisbane Water National
Park. A combined tree planting campaign is recommended (DEC and GCC) in areas
known to be koala habitat. Areas in Patonga, Pearl Beach, Umina Beach and Woy Woy
may be identified. It is noted that recent works by Council along the Ettymalong or
Kahibah Creek involved tree removal within the creek bank but involved supplementary
tree planting on the higher banks and elsewhere in this area as well as extensive bush
regeneration (GCC 2003).
List of Koala browse trees for Gosford
Eucalyptus punctata - Grey gum (this appears to be the principal feed tree preferred by
Koalas in the Gosford area, see Ecotone 1996).
E. robusta Swamp Mahogany
E. tereticornis - Forest Red Gum
E botryoides - Bangalay
E. piperita - Sydney Peppermint
E. paniculata - Grey Ironbark
Native species that are rare in the area but may be food trees:
E amplifolia - Cabbage Gum
E. longifolia - Woollybutt
Planting of Swamp Mahoganies would also benefit other species as they are an important
food resource in the winter months. A migratory species from Tasmania, Swift Parrots ()
were recorded utilising swamp mahoganies in the Umina Beach area in xx. Swamp
mahoganies are known to be an important species for at least ten threatened species
including the Regent Honeyeater (), Grey Headed Flying Fox and
Biodiversity - Technical Report Page 118