Improving Koala habitat and connectivity in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region
Regional NRM organisation: Reef Catchments
Location: Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac region of Central Queensland, focusing on habitat corridors between the Clarke–Connors Ranges, Sarina–Marlborough coastal areas, and extending south to Koumala and north to the Eton Ranges
Primary themes
Land & Soil
Biodiversity
Key partners
- CSIRO National Koala Monitoring Program
- Mackay Regional Council – Mackay Natural Environment Centre
- YUWI Traditional Owners
- Koinmerburra Traditional Owners
- YUWI Land and Sea Rangers and Koinjmal Rangers
- Regional landholders
Overview
Koalas were uplisted to Endangered in 2022, yet much of the conservation investment has focused on Southeast Queensland. This project targets an important but less studied population in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region, strengthening habitat corridors that allow koalas to move between coastal forests and inland ranges and maintain healthy, connected populations.
Building on an existing Commonwealth-funded koala habitat restoration program in the Sarina area, the project expands restoration efforts south to Koumala and north to the Eton Ranges. Working with landholders on private properties, Reef Catchments will undertake weed control, revegetation and fencing to improve habitat condition and restore wildlife corridors across the landscape.
The project will also address a long-standing gap in regional koala data by undertaking targeted surveys in partnership with the CSIRO National Koala Monitoring Program. By combining habitat restoration, improved monitoring and collaboration with Indigenous rangers, and local landholders, the project strengthens the long-term recovery of koalas in Central Queensland.
Secondary themes
Threatened species
Targeted conservation action to support koala populations in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region, focusing on habitat improvement and long-term recovery.
Biodiversity conservation
Improving habitat condition and ecological function across coastal and inland forest systems.
Habitat connectivity
Restoring corridors between coastal habitats and inland ranges to support koala movement and population resilience.
Biosecurity
Control of invasive weeds including lantana, guinea grass, elephant grass, sicklepod, leucaena and prickly pear to improve habitat quality.
Indigenous engagement and leadership
Involvement of Yuwi and Koinmerburra Traditional Owners and ranger groups in delivery and monitoring.
Local government partnerships
Collaboration with Mackay Regional Council to support regional coordination and native plant supply.
Landholder engagement
Working directly with landholders to implement habitat restoration, fencing and weed control across private properties.
Capacity building and skills development
Supporting landholders and partners to adopt improved habitat management and restoration practices.
Technology and innovation
Use of acoustic monitoring, GIS mapping and scientific surveys in partnership with the CSIRO National Koala Monitoring Program.
Soil health and land condition
Improving land condition through weed control, revegetation and grazing management (fencing) that supports habitat recovery.
By the numbers
54 hectares
of high-probability koala habitat improved through weed control
3 hectares
of new habitat established through revegetation
Up to 6 km
of fencing installed to exclude stock and support natural regeneration
24 hectares
surveyed for koala presence
100+ hectares
initially assessed through GIS mapping and site prioritisation
8 priority invasive weed species
targeted for control (including lantana, guinea grass and prickly pear)
1.3 FTE
Reef Catchments staff supporting project delivery
Multiple private properties
engaged through landholder agreements
Image credits:
Charley Geddes
This project is funded by the Queensland Government’s Natural Resource Management Expansion Program
