Council’s koala conservation work to feature in National Science Week video

An educational video produced by the CSIRO for National Science Week is set to shine a spotlight on the conservation practices being used to protect koala populations on Redlands Coast.

Mayor Jos Mitchell said being selected to feature in the video was a testament to the ongoing success of Redland City Council’s koala conservation programs.

“Over several years the organisation has been working with partner agencies such as the CSIRO to enhance its practices in the koala conservation space,” the Mayor said.

“This has included trialling the Koala Spotter App on Redlands Coast and getting the community involved in the initiative to better monitor our local koala populations.

“The data collected through this app helps us understand how our local koalas move, where their habitat is located, and also assists us with keeping track of local population numbers.

“Having this data at our fingertips means Council and our partner agencies are better equipped to implement targeted conservation activities and protect these koalas from harm.”

The CSIRO video will demonstrate how the app is contributing positively to koala conservation on Redlands Coast and explain the range of other technologies used to track koalas, such as drones.

Council has worked closely with the CSIRO and University of the Sunshine Coast over recent months to improve the capabilities of the app, with Bluetooth detection technology now enabled on the service.

Several koalas across Redlands Coast have been safely fitted with Bluetooth ear tags that allow Council and the community to carry out targeted tracking of local populations.

“When the CSIRO visited Redlands Coast to film their video, they used the technology to track the city’s ambassador koalas and got some great footage of them in their natural habitat,” the Mayor said.

“This demonstrates the power of the technology and how it can positively contribute to Council’s koala conservation activities.

“Over the next few years, we will be working with our partners to further enhance koala reporting tools such as the ear tag technology.

“Council is very proud of its koala conservation work and has gained a reputation as being an innovator in this space.

“This is thanks to the strong partnership we have formed with the CSIRO and the programs that have been implemented as a result of our collaborative efforts.”

The CSIRO visited two koala hotspots – Point Halloran at Victoria Point and Fellmonger Park at Ormiston – where they captured footage of ambassador koalas Sam II and Biripi.

As part of the Koala Spotting App rollout on Redlands Coast, Council has installed a sign at Fellmonger Park with a QR code that links to the app download page.

This is the first of many signs Council plans to install across the city to get more residents involved in the program.

The Mayor said the community’s involvement was key to ensuring the app was effective in enhancing local koala management activities.

“Each contribution from our citizen scientists will make a significant difference in our efforts to protect our treasured local koalas now and into the future,” the Mayor said.

The Koala Spotter App is a CSIRO-led initiative that Council has adopted as part of its koala conservation program. More information is available at redland.qld.gov.au.

National Science Week 2024 is from 10–18 August.

See the CSIRO video here: CSIRO National Koala Monitoring Program – YouTube

Redland City Council provides a suite of services to 166,873 residents and more than 63,000 residential households across Redlands Coast. Our naturally wonderful city on Quandamooka Country is home to more than 335 kilometres of coastline, six island communities and 12 mainland suburbs.