Citizen scientists needed for koala monitoring program

Residents living in or near koala habitat can now help track Campbelltown’s koala population as part of the largest monitoring program ever conducted in the region.

A key part of Council’s Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management, is to set up a long-term koala monitoring program to better inform understanding of the local koala colony’s locations, movements and numbers.

Council is looking for residents living on properties larger than 10,000m2 in rural areas of Macquarie Fields, Long Point, Ingleburn, Minto Heights, Kentlyn and Wedderburn to be part of the program.

“This study will deepen our knowledge of our local koala populations and support us to preserve and enhance the local colony and their habitat into the future,” Mayor George Brticevic said.

“Through the contributions of many great people in our community over the years, we know that we have an abundant colony of koalas who are expanding and this program will enable us to learn so much more about them,” Cr Brticevic said.

“Combined with our Koalatown awareness campaign, the Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management will ensure we are doing everything we can, with the involvement of our community, to ensure the ongoing health and survival of our koalas,” he said.

Residents who sign up will be visited by a member of Council’s Natural Areas Team and an expert ecological consultant between 7 December and 15 December to assess the presence of koalas and koala habitat.