While bushfires are no longer an immediate threat to koalas in New South Wales, experts say their fight for survival continues.
A NSW Upper House inquiry has found the koala population in the state faces extinction within 30 years.
The native marsupials were already threatened by climate change, drought and land clearing when thousands were wiped out in last summer’s devastating bushfires.
Greens MP Cate Faehrmann is committee chair of the Upper House Inquiry into New South Wales' Koala Populations and their Habitat. She says the final report, released today, shows current strategies and policies in place to protect the endangered species aren’t working.
“Without urgent government intervention the koala will become extinct in NSW before 2050. This is extremely concerning of course to everybody who cares about koalas and indeed, from what we heard during the inquiry, that's pretty much everyone from across NSW and the world,” Ms Cate Faehrmann told the inquiry.
The year-long cross-party probe found koala populations were already in steep decline before the bushfires hit.
New South Wales Upper House Liberal MP Shayne Mallard says habitat loss and fragmentation was the driving factor.
“We're already seeing localised extinctions of koalas and of course the devastation of the bushfires really set them back further quite significantly so I endorse this report, I've raised it with (environment) Minister (Matthew) Kean, in fact he came and gave evidence at the inquiry a couple of times, he's been very engaged with this process,” Mr Mallard said.
The NSW Upper house committee made 42 recommendations including the need for a state-wide survey of koala numbers.
Koalas are listed as a vulnerable species in New South Wales, the ACT and Queensland, with conservationists pushing for them to be re-classified as endangered.
In South Australia, a high-tech koala count is underway on Kangaroo Island after half the population there - at least 25,000 - perished in the fires.
World Wildlife Fund Australia conservation scientist Dr Stuart Blanch says more needs to be done to protect koala habitat in urban growth areas.
“In eastern Australia we need stronger laws to protect koala habitat from being bulldozed or logged, we need to work on all levels on stronger laws, better habitat protection, more national parks, “says Dr Stuart Blanch.
Labor MP, and committee member, Penny Sharpe says private landowners should be paid to help protect koalas.
“There needs to be more incentives for farmers and landholders to do that, you don't want them to have to decide they can make more money by cutting down all of the trees than keeping them and allowing them to do the management I think that's really the key there. We all really support and know that to save koalas it's an all-in effort.”
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian says her government has already invested a record $44 million to its koala protection strategy and will consider taking further action after reviewing the report.
“I wanted to be the premier that saves our koala population into the future and I think the financial commitment we dedicated, also action on the ground, demonstrates our intent to do that,” Ms Berejiklian explained.
Koalas are listed as a vulnerable species in New South Wales, the ACT and Queensland, with conservationists pushing for them to be re-classified as endangered.