Koala Friendly Farms in Ballina Shire

KOALA FRIENDLY FARMS IN BALLINA SHIRE

BYRON SHIRE

NEWRYBAR

BROOKLET BROKEN HEAD

KNOCKROW PEARCES CREEK

LISMORE SHIRE

FERNLEIGH

LENNOX HEAD TINTENBAR

ALSTONVALE

MCLEANS RIDGES

CUMBALUM TUCKOMBIL

WOLLONGBAR

TEVEN

SKENNARS HEAD ALSTONVILLE

BALLINA WEST BALLINA

ROUS LYNWOOD

ROUS MILL

BALLINA SHIRE

URALBA

PIMLICO

EAST BALLINA

SOUTH BALLINA

KEITH HALL

DALWOOD

COOLGARDIE PIMLICO ISLAND

EMPIRE VALE

MEERSCHAUM VALE

PATCHES BEACH

WARDELL EAST WARDELL

KEY BAGOTVILLE

This map is indicative only.

Koalas are not exclusively found in the habitat areas on this map. Koalas may live in planted windbreak trees outside of the mapped habitat areas.

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CABBAGE TREE ISLAND GOAT ISLAND

RICHMOND VALLEY

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Important Population Boundary KOALA HABITAT Primary Secondary A Secondary B Secondary C

Contents Introduction................................................................................... 2 How can I help koalas on my property?........................................ 4 What is the property evaluation tool?............................................ 5 Management: Outdated ................................................................ 6 Management: Best Practice.......................................................... 8 Management: Aspirational ............................................................ 10 Koala assistance contacts ............................................................ 12 Which trees do koalas prefer? ...................................................... 13 What are the major threats............................................................ 14 What if I see a koala?.................................................................... 15 Self-evaluation notes..................................................................... 16 Register your details...................................................................... 17

This booklet has been produced by Ballina Shire Council.

Special thanks to the New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) and the funding contribution under the NSW Koala Strategy.

Design and layout by Design Hub 2478. Illustrations by Denise Adams.

Photos supplied by Friends of the Koala and Bangalow Koalas.

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Introduction The booklet highlights a number of new and innovative management activities which can be introduced on rural properties to create longterm positive changes, not only for the landowner and the land, but importantly to support koalas and other wildlife.

Ballina Shire is home to a nationally important population of koalas.

Rural landholders in Ballina Shire play an important role in terms of koala conservation and many important areas of native vegetation and koala habitat are on private property.

It is important that we work together to support our koalas and care for all ecosystems in our landscape, ensuring Ballina Shire remains habitable for generations to come.

Q As a landholder, does conservation benefit me?

A Yes! For rural landholders and farmers, you could potentially reduce your property management costs and boost productivity by introducing certain management activities on your land.

Planting a koala feed tree corridor can have multiple benefits including: Offering crop or stock protection during extreme weather.

Increasing soil fertility and moisture retention.

I mproving biodiversity—which can encourage natural pest control and pollination by native insects, birds and mammals.

If you are eligible, some conservation programs offer ongoing financial payments to landholders who are carrying out agreed conservation management actions on their land. For more information, refer to page 12 or contact Ballina Shire Council.

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A few key items to consider whilst reading this document: What are your intentions for your property? ow do you see your property now and where do you want to H be in the future?

Are there any particular projects you wish to undertake in the future which may place conservation plans at risk?

Consider the specific knowledge you have of your property.

For example, the less productive areas of your property could be a great start for conservation.

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Q How can I help koalas on my property?

A There are several management themes which are key to creating a koala friendly farm and protecting other important biodiversity values.

Key management themes include: 1.

Protecting areas of native vegetation.

2.

Maintaining and improving native vegetation.

3.

Creating koala habitat by planting koala food trees.

4.

Improving habitat connectivity.

5.

Controlling environmental weeds.

6. Excluding pest or stock animals from areas of sensitive native vegetation.

7.

Identifying and managing threatened species.

8. Preparing property plans or monitoring native vegetation for biodiversity and agricultural outcomes.

The property evaluation tool in this booklet also provides further detail on each of these themes.

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Q What is the property evaluation tool?

A The property evaluation tool on the following pages

should provide you with an idea of which property management activities and projects are considered; outdated, best practice and aspirational – when it comes to protecting koalas and native vegetation on your property.

Please use the following pages to understand which steps can be taken to improve conservation outcomes on your land. You can use the property evaluation tool to help plan your next move and then contact the right people to help bring that vision into reality.

The property evaluation tool is based on the Farm Health Assessment Tool developed by Southern Cross University in partnership with Lismore City Council - originally adapted from the ‘ABCD management framework’ first used by the Queensland sugarcane industry.

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Management: Outdated The activities described on this page are considered ‘Outdated’.

Many of these activities are common practice and unfortunately they are contributing to the ongoing loss of koala habitat and other important features of our natural environment.

1

Small areas of native vegetation with limited species diversity, poor vegetation structure, high weed abundance and the area is not being revegetated or regenerated.

2

No koala food or browse trees planted and no new trees are being planted.

3

Some existing patches of native vegetation and isolated native trees are linked by narrow corridors (i.e. lines of trees) or ‘stepping stone’ patches.

4

Weeds are not controlled or only occasionally controlled.

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Pets and livestock are not excluded from areas of native vegetation or potential koala habitat.

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No effort or minimal effort is being made to identify or protect threatened species.

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No official vegetation monitoring occurring and all notes on condition are mental notes during routine property activities.

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Management: Best Practice The activities described on this page are considered ‘Best Practice’.

These activities describe how you could balance your property management goals, while also creating a positive outcome for koalas and the natural environment.

1

Patches of native vegetation have moderate species diversity, a range of ages and vegetation is being actively maintained.

2

Existing koala food and browse trees on the property are protected.

3

Native vegetation occurs in isolated patches but connect via vegetated corridors with canopy cover.

4

Weed infestations are controlled occasionally.

5

Livestock are excluded from native vegetation or potential koala habitat.

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Experts are engaged to identify, protect and monitor threatened species on the property.

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Occasional surveys for native plants and animals are undertaken, photos are taken at random points around the property with changes recorded.

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Management: Aspirational The activities described on this page are considered ‘Aspirational’.

These activities go above and beyond ‘Best Practice’. Aspirational actions are often new or innovative and can lead to long-term positive benefits for your property, koalas and the natural environment.

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Patches of native vegetation have high species diversity, well-structured communities and are free from weeds and are consistently maintained.

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Livestock, pets and pest animals are excluded from areas of native vegetation or potential koala habitat through adequate fencing.

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xisting koala food and E browse trees on the property are protected and new trees are being planted to support koalas.

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Experts are engaged to identify, protect and expand the population of threatened species on the property.

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Patches of native vegetation connected through well vegetated corridors, which are protected from other agricultural activities.

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Weed infestations are being controlled through consistent follow up treatment via a range of control approaches.

argeted surveys for T native plants and animals are undertaken, seasonal photographs are taken at set photo monitoring points and a property plan is highly detailed with specific outcomes for the benefit of agricultural production and biodiversity (including koalas). Experts and neighbouring landholders consulted to achieve good outcomes across the landscape.

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Q Who can offer assistance when it comes to biodiversity management on my property?

A There are many organisations who can help!

If you’re unsure which organisations to contact for assistance, contact Ballina Shire Council. Council staff should be able to answer your query or direct you towards the correct contact.

One way for landholders to protect biodiversity and get support with managing their land is to sign up for a Conservation Agreement.

The Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) offer a range of conservation agreement options, from entry level voluntary agreements to permanent agreements which could generate a secondary income.

Land for Wildlife is another voluntary property registration scheme that encourages and supports landholders to manage areas of their property for wildlife habitat.

Richmond Landcare manages the Land for Wildlife scheme in the Lismore and Ballina local government areas. It is a simple process - Land for Wildlife does not come with any covenants or binding agreements and is a sign of your commitment to provide and maintain at least half a hectare of your property for wildlife.

There are also a range of volunteer, community and non-for profit groups operating across the Northern Rivers who can offer assistance with tree planting and purchasing, plus offering specialist advice.

Contact Ballina Shire Council if you would like to know which organisation would best suit your needs.

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Q Which trees do koalas prefer?

A Koalas feed almost exclusively on a few preferred tree

species which are of primary and secondary importance.

These species can vary depending on where you are located.

The primary and secondary food trees mostly utilised by koalas in Ballina are listed below.

Primary food trees • Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis) • Tallowwood (Eucalyptus microcorys) • Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta) • Forest Red Gum x Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus patentinervis)

Secondary food trees • Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis) • Grey Gum (Eucalyptus propinqua) • Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) • Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) • Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus signata) •N arrow-leaved Red Gum (Eucalyptus seeana) • Red Mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera) • Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus siderophloia) • Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia) • Forest Oak (Allocasuarina torulosa) • Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca) • Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus) • Swamp Box (Lophostemon suaveolens) • Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) • Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp)

Several other native species which are often found in Ballina Shire, but are not locally native are used by koalas. These species include; Cadaghi (Corymbia torelliana), Drooping Red Gum (E. parramattensis), Bangalay (E. botryoides), Dunn’s White Gum (E. dunnii), Lemonscented Gum (E. citriodora).

The trees koalas prefer to eat and use for shelter depend on the particular area and its surrounding habitat. Koalas can shelter in non-food trees such as Camphor Laurel and even rainforest trees.

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Q What are the major threats to koalas?

A There are many!

One of the biggest threats koalas face is habitat loss.

Most koalas now survive in fragmented and isolated patches of habitat. In Ballina Shire, almost one-third of the koalas live in and around windbreak trees. As their habitat becomes smaller and more fragmented, or the colonies grow, koalas are forced to travel on foot through urbanised and agricultural areas.

Habitat loss is not the only threat, koalas face many other treats including: • Disease (chlamydia) • Roads and vehicle strike • Brushfires that scorch or burn the tree canopy • Predation by wild or domestic dogs • Storms • Drought and heatwaves • Climate change 14

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Q What if I see a koala?

If the koala is sick or injured, call the Friends of the

A Koala 24 Hour Koala Rescue Hotline: (02) 6622 1233 Symptoms of a sick koala may include; crusted or red eyes, a yellowblack staining on the rump, looks skinny, brown dry-matted coat, is unresponsive or having difficultly climbing.

If the koala appears to have clear eyes, white-grey rump, a thick grey coat, well rounded belly and is responsive, it is likely to be a healthy koala. You should keep your distance, keep noise to a minimum, keep your dogs inside or well clear of the koala.

You should report all sightings of healthy koalas to:

Friends of the Koala - Report a Koala Sighting friendsofthekoala.org/report-a-koala-sighting

Download I Spy Koala app

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NOTES • Which key actions could be introduced to improve conservation outcomes on your land?

• Which organisation would you like to contact to for support? ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................

REMEMBER! It is always a good idea to seek advice from a professional before undertaking any conservation project on your land.

This advice may save you time and money in the future, and most importantly deliver the best conservation outcome.

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Q Are you interested in conservation and keen to stay up to date?

A Register your details with Ballina Shire Council.

This register is a voluntary property registration scheme for landholders in Ballina Shire who wish to manage and improve native habitat for koalas and other biodiversity values on their properties.

Not legally binding Free to join Council officers can to keep in touch with updates on conservation programs and grants which may be available Connecting with a network of like-minded people

Contact Ballina Shire Council on 1300 864 444 or email council@ballina.nsw.gov.au to find out more.

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Ballina Shire Council 1300 864 444 ballina.nsw.gov.au/koalas Ballina Customer Service Centre 40 Cherry Street Ballina NSW 2478