Koalas get Branson health check The future of Noosa’s koala population is looking a little brighter as the first part of the Richard Branson Koala Conservancy program kicks off in Noosa. Noosa Council environment officer Tyron de Kauwe said the council is assisting Endeavour Veterinary Ecology (EVE) and University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) scientists on a pilot project that is tagging and monitoring koalas in Noosa shire. “This is the initial project of the Richard Branson Koala Conservancy,” he said. “EVE and USC have worked successfully with the Queensland Government on another successful koala project using these same methods.” The project captures koalas and gives them a comprehensive health assessment. If they are unwell they are treated and if they are healthy then they are fitted with a collar, and quickly released back into their habitat. These project koalas will also be the beneficiaries of the koala chlamydia vaccine which was developed by the University of the Sunshine Coast. The collars have a GPS tracking device that shows koala movements and relays that information back to EVE electronically. “EVE can see when a koala slows down or stops. This information helps indicate whether the koala may be injured or unwell and helps identify where there are threats to koala movement or wellbeing,” Mr de Kauwe said. The council is also assisting a range of scientists and conservation agencies with other programs
Noosa's koalas may be seen with koala tracking devices to help follow their movements, health, wellbeing and threats. in a quest to conserve Noosa’s koala population with a number of projects underway simultaneously across the shire. The council has also been working with USC and its koala tracking dog program. This program has been very successful in finding local koalas through scat detection. Genetic and health analysis is be-
ing carried out on the collected scat under a project part-funded by the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation. Mayor Tony Wellington said koala conservation is not a simple matter and knowing where koalas live and whether they are healthy all plays a role in their survival. “It’s vital to understand exactly where our local koalas are living, whether they represent healthy and
viable populations and, otherwise, what management interventions are required to make these koala populations sustainable,” he said. “To achieve a turnaround in koala numbers, and that is our goal, we do need to carry out these sorts of complementary scientific studies, with some urgency attached.” Koala sightings reported to the council are sent through to the USC program. Sightings also help to in-
form the council’s new planning scheme. In addition, the council has engaged o2Ecology to locate koala hot spots where koalas come into regular contact with the human environment. This work will help the council identify where investment in infrastructure is required to help koalas move around safely. The local Queensland Koala Crusader (QKC) group has also been busy assisting with a range of conservation and care projects for the Noosa koala population. President Meghan Halverson said the group will “redouble” its efforts in 2017 and was determined to focus its energies on “developing sanctuary creation strategies”. “Collaborative efforts are underway and we have had some exciting moments in 2016 that will continue into 2017,” she said. “We planted trees for a koala food tree plantation at Wildlife HQ on 27 September in conjunction with Noosa District Land care. “The newly planted trees will provide a support to local koala rescuers and carers in the Sunshine Coast and Noosa region. “We plan to participate in more of these kinds of collaborative efforts to establish more re-growth plantations and corridor connectivity,” she said. The council’s projects are consistent with its Koala Conservation Plan, which was adopted in 2016. For more information about Noosa Shire Council’s Koala Conservation Plan or to help the council with koala sightings information visit www.noosa.qld.gov.au/koalas.
Beyond the driving lessons, RYDA gives students the tools to make smart choices and stay safe on the Roads. Too many young people are killed in vehicle crashes.
A Youth Driver Awareness program made available by the Rotary Clubs of A Youth Driver Awareness program made available by the Rotary Clubs of Noosa, Noosa Heads, Noosa Daybreak and Cooroy.
We do not teach your child how to drive. You arrange this. We make them aware of their responsibiliies and hopefully they will become beter and safer drivers. The RYDA Program is delivered each year to over 50,000 senior high school students from more than 650 paricipaing schools.
RYDA is an all day out-of-school excursion. In small groups, students take part in six RYDA is anworkshops all day out-of-school excursion. In small groups, students take part in six interacive conducted by trained facilitators, expert in devising strategies conducted trained tointeractive stay safe workshops on the roads. Sessions by cover ….. facilitators, expert in devising strategies to stay safe on the roads. Sessions cover ….. SPEED & STOPPING. How to master the art of avoiding a crash. SPEED & STOPPING. How to improve skills tohazard avoid apercepion crash. HAZARDS & DISTRACTIONS. Designedyour to improve skills. RIGHTS &&RESPONSIBILITIES. Deals withtorisk areas hazard for young drivers. skills. HAZARDS DISTRACTIONS. Designed improve perception RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES. DealsPLUS with risk areas for young drivers. The Personality Test, Ater The Crash and Genevieve’s Story The Personality Test, After The Crash and Genevieve’s Story The greatest impact at RYDA oten comes from the personal stories of loss and surThe greatest impact at RYDA often comes from the personal stories of loss and survival where students come to realise how one poor choice can change a life forever. vival where students come to realise how one poor choice can change a life forever.
Contact School Year 11/12 or call 5447 and 6458 - 5472 0114 - 5474 The RYDA program is now freeCoordinator for all paricipaing students schools. Made possible by 4053 the generous assistance given by our sponsors and the Queensland Government Rotary - www.rotarynoosaheads.org.au/RYDA Safety Education - www.rse.org.au
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The RYDA program is now free for all participating students and schools. Made possible by the generous assistance given by our sponsors and the Queensland Government.
“RYDA can help save your child’s life” This iniiaive is funded by the Queensland Government Community Road Safety Grants Program
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