The NSW Government is releasing funding support for private landholders to protect koala habitat in the Northern Tablelands as one of the first actions under the new NSW Koala Strategy.
The $193.3 million NSW Koala Strategy, released in April, is the biggest financial commitment by any government to secure the future of koalas in the wild.
Image - a new resident in relatively new plantings along Dumaresq Creek in Armidale. Photo courtesy Ben Vincent.
Minister for Environment James Griffin said Armidale is one of 10 climate resilient koala stronghold locations identified in the Strategy, which will receive extensive engagement, funding and support over the life of the Strategy.
“Through the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT), we’re offering funding to eligible private landholders in Armidale and Uralla to protect important areas of koala habitat, which will also support dozens of other plant and animal species,” Mr Griffin said.
“At least 60 per cent of Australia’s land is privately owned or managed, and many important ecosystems are found on private land, including precious koala habitat.
“That’s why, through the NSW Koala Strategy, the NSW Government is delivering $19 million to the BCT to work in close partnership with landholders to protect 7,000 hectares of priority koala habitat across NSW.
“By working in partnership with landholders and offering funding support like this, we can massively increase participation in private land conservation in NSW.”
The BCT’s Northern Inland Koala conservation tender will open in the second half of 2022.
Successful applicants will enter conservation agreements with the BCT, and will receive annual payments to manage their elected koala conservation area.
The BCT has completed 14 conservation tenders in NSW, resulting in 129 funded conservation agreements, protecting more than 81,100 hectares of high-conservation value land and ecological assets across the state.
To find out more, visit www.bct.nsw.gov.au.
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If the NSW BCT funding to protect koala habitat does not suit your situation, but you'd still like to help by planting koala habitat, contact our Koala Conservation Project Officer to find out more about other local funding opportunities Southern New England Landcare can offer, or check out our Northern Tablelands Koala Partnership Project.
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